Entries Tagged as 'Vitamins and Supplements'
Aging Gracefully With The Aid Of Various Nutrients
Charlene J. Nuble
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily growing
amount of scientific evidence linking vitamins and minerals to
having a direct effect in protecting one’s self from aging.
Apart from the usual health benefits that we can receive from
having adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and other
nutrients in our body, it’s also a highly appealing note to
include that being healthy inside will actually reflect on how
we look like on the outside. This is why a great change in
one’s lifestyle is highly encouraged, a healthy way of living
can still be achieved given that you have the patience and
enough self-discipline to actually control yourself from
wolfing down hamburgers and steaks as well as chugging bottles
of soda each and every day.
And the health benefits don’t just stop there, along with the
youthful appearance, a healthy lifestyle can actually result to
a wonderful effect on your immune system, strengthening it and
eventually making you more active and less likely to catch any
illness. There are a number of nutrients that have shown to be
necessary in improving how our immune system functions.
Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene and
selenium have been shown to boost resistance. The minerals zinc
and magnesium are also important for immune function. To ensure
a good bill of health, it is important that you have to make
sure that you’re getting the right amount of these antioxidants
each and every day, from a variety of fruits and vegetables in
your daily diet to nutrition supplements, it really is quite
easy to be healthy. However, antioxidants such as zinc and
magnesium can be found in dairy products and seafood.
Certain vitamins and minerals have been shown to aid in the
prevention of some degenerative diseases and illnesses and
peculiarities that are brought about by aging. Antioxidants can
actually help lower the risk of cataracts and macular
degeneration which are conditions associated with aging.
Experts actually suggest that antioxidants can help slow the
aging process by reducing the daily cell damage done by
environmental pollution and time. Vitamin E has been linked
with a lower risk of heart disease. Niacin a B vitamin can help
in reducing the level of cholesterol in the body. While some
other nutrients that are helpful in protecting against age
related disorders are selenium, cartenoids, flavinoids and some
Amino acids.
Proper nutrition via the diet can actually be quite a feat for
some who have never diet in their entire lives, as hard as it
may seem to be at first, a well-balanced diet is definitely
achievable. Even though people often work longer and harder
while parents tend to both work hard in order to provide for
their family, it is not an excuse for people to be neglecting
their health by filling their bodies with all sorts of junk
Another difficulty comes in being surrounded by a lot of
processed food that don’t really pack in the nutritional value
that a person needs to stay healthy. This problem goes as far
as the lack of minerals from the soil, which in turn causes our
food to be a lot less healthy that it should be. Even vegetables
nowadays cannot be relied on to fill in the necessary
nutritional requirements that one needs in order to be healthy.
This is the reason why nutritional supplements greatly abound
in check out counters and drugstores nowadays. Not only are
they affordable but they can also prove to be a good source of
the added vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that a person
needs in order to stay healthy and fit. Consult a licensed
dietician or your family physician to be able to choose the
right kind of nutritional supplement for you.
About The Author: Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links
and information about Vitamins, please go to:
http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and
information on all health related topics, go to:
http://www.besthealthlink.net/
Tags: Vitamins and Supplements · Aging
Incredible - Essential - CoQ10
Mike Spencer
Deficiencies in CoQ10 (also known as Coenzyme Q10) can cause or aggravate many conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and periodontal disease.
“After age 20, levels of Coenzyme Q10 in your body decline
gradually.After 50, it plummets.”
Healthy levels of CoQ10 help to lower your blood pressure and assist circulation as well as maintain healthy muscle tissue in your heart.
CoQ10 is also one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man.
CoQ10 levels decline as we age. This is significant because evidence suggests that a vast number of diseases including dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Neurological disorders and certain cancers are not only treatable with CoQ10 but may in fact be caused, at least in part, by a deficiency in CoQ10.
What can CoEnzyme Q10 do for you?
Take a look at what Coenzyme Q10 can do for your health:
Slows down the aging process as it protects your body from the
damage of free radicals
Support your immune system defences
Is beneficial for promoting cardiovascular health
Plays a crucial role in the maintenance of periodontal health
Research has shown that your immune system function is reduced when your levels of CoQ10 are depleted.
What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 resists easy classification. Because it’s an organic
compound acting as an enzyme or coenzyme, necessary in small amounts for normal body function, most researchers consider it a vitamin.
CoQ10 is needed in every single cell in your body. It’s found in
meats and some protein-rich nuts, but the concentrations in these foods are normally weak.
How about fifteen pounds of peanut butter - or an equally improbable three-and-a-half pounds of sardines - which provide just 100 mg of Q10!
Now I love peanut butter - but fifteen pounds….. a day!
This is the amount the University of Washington School of
Medicine Physicians’ Update calls “a reasonable daily amount.”
To get optimal amounts of Q10, you need to take a supplement.
Why you need CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 is recognised as an essential component in your
body’s production of ATP (also known as “muscle fuel”).
Without ATP, our muscles cannot move. Without CoQ10, we can’t
manufacture ATP.
After age 20, levels of CoQ10 in your body decline gradually.
After 50, it plummets.
Coenzyme Q10 is also one of the most powerful antioxidants every discovered, and has been found to improve athletic performance, and help intensive training athletes recover quicker.
In short, CoQ10 may well be one of the most important and versatile nutrients ever discovered. The only downfall of CoQ10 relates to its oral absorption.
A Breakthrough in CoQ10 research
Fortunately, however, a recent breakthrough in CoQ10 delivery
technology was recently discovered, meaning you can now make the most of this amazing nutrient.
“When I coined the word vita-nutrient, I was thinking of Coenzyme
Q10. It is neither vitamin nor mineral nor amino acid, yet it is absolutely
vital to our health and vital that we get enough of it.” Dr Robert C. Atkins, M.D. from his book, “Dr. Atkins’ Vita-Nutrient Solution”
Although it’s present in virtually every cell in your body, very
few people are aware of how important it is or how many different health benefits CoQ10 provides.
In fact, CoQ10 plays so many different roles in health, you
really need a book to detail all of them!
CoQ10 combats effects of heart attack.
Coenzyme Q10 is shaping up to be a heart’s best friend. But only
a small fraction of people who could benefit actually know about it.
Mike Spencer is committed to helping people promote and protect
their health. Here Mike talks about the benefits of CoQ10 for heart
health. Read more about CoQ10 here:
http://www.heart-healthy-diet.com/articles/coq10.html
—————————–
The Amazing Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10
Nicky Pilkington
Coenzyme Q10 has exploded onto the health scene. This powerful mineral has many health saving properties. It is responsible for essential chemical reactions in your body as well as being a dynamite antioxidant.
What’s more, Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 occurs naturally in your body, (and that’s good), but unfortunately, as you age, have
nutritional deficiencies or get sick you are producing less of
this essential mineral.
And check this out…studies show that an estimated 25%
deficiency will cause serious metabolic health problems. At 75%,
death will follow and that would mean no more birthday cake for
you!
CoQ10 plays a key role in the production of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) needed for energy production in every cell. It
also has a powerful antioxidant that helps guard against damage
from free radicals.
And that is just for starters, cardiologist Peter Langsjorn
explains “Like the vitamins discovered in the early part of this
century, CoQ10 is an essential element of food that can now be
used medically.”
It gets even better…
Here are just a few of the health benefits:
Weight Loss - stimulates your bodies metabolism
Healthy Gums - suppresses gingival inflammation
Male Fertility - improves sperm mobility and protects free
radical injury
Cardiovascular - improvement of symptoms in cardiac and
congestive heart failure patients
Immune System - significantly enhances function
In various other studies CoQ10 was a tremendous benefit in
lowering high blood pressure and helped with angina and
congestive heart failure.
So you may be asking yourself, “Wow, where do I find this
stuff??” well, good news and bad news. A small amount, 10 to 20
milligrams of CoQ10, can be found in fish and organ meats of
animals. Well…that slowed me down a little! I don’t like organ
meats of animals, do you? Yuck! Here is another solution. An
easily available source of this nutrient is in many high quality
nutritional systems.
Safe scientific formulated blends of vitamins and minerals
including CoQ10 are specially formulated for maximum absorption. For adults taking Coenzyme Q10 in a supplement, the optimal amount should be between 30 and 90 mg per day. Under a doctors care, higher amounts may be prescribed.
Regardless of age or health almost everybody would benefit from
taking CoQ10 daily. Our health and quality of life are based on
feeling good and having healthy energy supplies.
And really people… this is so much better for your energy
levels than a cigarette and a diet soda!
Find out more about Mental Health at www.healthandfinesse.com
Tags: Vitamins and Supplements · Aging
Cranberries Can Reduce Your Risk Of Cancer And Heart Disease
Terry Lowery
When is the last time you ate cranberries? Was it with a turkey
dinner? With all the research pointing to the amazing health
benefits of this simple berry, shouldn’t cranberries be more
than a once a year side dish?
How Cranberries Are Proving Their Strength:
The Cranberry Institute provides the results of studies and
research that highlight the fantastic health benefits of the
humble cranberry.
Cranberries have been used for thousands of years by Native
Americans as a source of food and to extend the shelf life of
dried meats. Colonial sailors also made use of the natural
preservatives in cranberries (from benzoic acid) which allowed
them to last through long sea voyages, and the high Vitamin C
content which prevented scurvy.
Perhaps they were on to something since new research suggests
that cranberries may prevent the adhesion of the e.coli
bacteria - a common cause of food poisoning from contaminated
meat - to the urinary tract. This ‘anti-adhesion’ effect may
also help in preventing bacteria from causing stomach ulcers
and gum disease.
Vitamin C is also a known powerful antioxidant and is being
widely accepted as a means of combating the effects of free
radicals in the body which can cause cancer, heart disease and
other health problems. Antioxidants from cranberries are being
researched for prevention of kidney stones and lowering
cholesterol.
While many fruits contain antioxidants, according to research
cranberries have more antioxidants than 19 commonly eaten
fruits. With this news it makes sense to include cranberries
into a balanced diet throughout the year.
How Can You Include Cranberries Into Your Diet?
Fresh, frozen or dried, cranberries can be eaten anytime of the
year.
Adding dried cranberries to baking (such as scones, breads and
cookies) is an easy way to enjoy their tart sweetness. Adding
frozen cranberries to smoothies or soups can lend a mild tang
to your creations. Fresh cranberries make excellent garnishes
and dressings.
The easiest way to add cranberries to your diet is to drink
cranberry juice. While sweetened juices have less antioxidants
than unsweetened, the benefits of adding cranberry to your diet
are still there. If you add unsweetened juice to sparkling water
you can enjoy a refreshing spritzer.
While studies are still being conducted on the health benefits
of cranberries there is no doubt that increasing the intake of
fruits and vegetables in your diet will lead to a healthier
body. Choosing to use a variety of berries, citrus and other
fruits will ensure you are giving your body everything it needs
for optimum health.
About The Author: This article provided courtesy of
http://www.low-cholesterol-tips.com
Tags: Vitamins and Supplements · Antioxidants
Guide To Buying Vitamins Online
Copyright 2005 Kristy Haugen
Vitamins are merely organic compounds that the body uses
for essential functions. There are two categories of
vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. The body requires
nine water-soluble vitamins. Many of the water soluble
vitamins are precursors for coenzymes for the enzymes of
intermediary metabolism. Water-soluble vitamins are not
stored in the body. What is not used will be excreted in
the urine.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for
protein and red blood cell formation. Folic acid is
essential during pregnancy for healthy development of
baby’s brains and nervous system. Deficiencies in folic
acid during pregnancy lead to spina bifida and anencephaly.
Proper vitamin supplementation before and during pregnancy
can prevent this.
Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin is an essential
water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA
synthesis. Vitamin B12 is also part of the red blood cell
ring that carries oxygen. Pernicious anemia is a related
to a vitamin B12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is
rarely a result of the vitamin’s absence in the diet. Many
who develop pernicious anemia lack intrinsic factor, which
binds to the vitamin for absorption purposes.
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is an essential
water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is required for the
maintenance of normal connective tissue and the formation
of collage. This vitamin can be found in skin care
products. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron in
the diet. Vitamin C is an essential anti-oxidant (free
radical damage). Scurvy is a disease associated with
vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin B6 known as pyridoxine is also a water-soluble
vitamin. Pyridoxine is essential for protein digestion and
utilization. This vitamin is essential for brain function
and hormone production.
Vitamin B1 known as thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin.
Thiamine plays a key role in energy metabolism of most
cells (ATP), particularly the nervous system. Beriberi and
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are diseases caused by a severe
thiamine deficiency.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential water-soluble vitamin.
Niacin functions as a precursor to NAD and NADP. Niacin is
essential for energy production, brain function, and
healthy skin. A deficiency in niacin causes pellagra and
type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia. Niacin also helps to lower
LDL’s in the blood.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a water-soluble vitamin that
assists in turning fats, sugars, and protein into energy.
Riboflavin is needed to repair and maintain healthy skin.
Riboflavin also assists in regulating bodily acidity.
There are no diseases associated with a riboflavin
deficiency. However, riboflavin deficiencies commonly
accompany other vitamin deficiencies.
Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is needed
for healthy childhood development. Biotin helps the body
use essential fats. Biotin promotes healthy skin, hair,
and nerves. Biotin deficiency does not occur naturally
because the vitamin is widely distributed in food.
Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 is essential for energy
production. Vitamin B5 also controls the body’s fat
metabolism. This vitamin helps make antistress hormones
(steroids) during stressful times. Pantothenic acid is
essential for a healthy nervous system. This vitamin helps
maintain healthy skin and hair. Deficiency in this vitamin
is not well characterized in humans and no RDA (recommended
dietary allowance) has been established. The body also
requires four fat-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins
are absorbed, released, and transported with the fat of the
diet. Fat-soluble vitamins are not readily excreted in the
urine. Because fat-soluble vitamins travel with fat,
significant quantities of these vitamins are stored in
adipose tissue (fat) and the liver.
Vitamin A or retinol is an essential fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that protects the body from
free radical damage. Vitamin A also protects against many
infections. Vitamin A is essential for vision at night.
Those deficient in vitamin A suffer night blindness. Many
who suffer from psoriasis and acne are effectively treated
with retinoic acid or a derivative. It is possible to
become toxic with fat-soluble vitamins because of how the
body stores these vitamins. Toxicity of vitamin A leads to
hypervitaminosis A. Symptoms of this disorder include dry,
pruritic skin; cirrhotic, enlarged liver; and increased
intracranial pressure. Pregnant women should not take
excess of vitamin A due to potential to cause congenital
malformations to the fetus.
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. This
vitamin has hormone like functions. This vitamin helps to
maintain strong and healthy bones by retaining calcium.
This is why milk is usually fortified with vitamin D for
increased calcium absorption. The body also produces
vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sufficient sunlight.
A vitamin D deficiency causes a net demineralization of
bone, results in the disorder rickets (children) and
osteomalacia (adults). Other disorders such as renal
rickets and hypoparathyroidism are seen with a vitamin D
deficiency. Like all fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D can
be stored in the body and is slow metabolized. So there is
a risk for toxicity. Toxic levels can cause nausea,
thirst, stupor, and loss of appetite. Hypercalcemia can
result from enhanced calcium absorption which can lead to
calcium deposits in many organs, especially the kidneys and
arteries. Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin
needed for proper clotting of the blood. Vitamin K is a
byproduct created by the normally harmless bacteria in the
intestine (E.coli). A true deficiency is unusual because
of adequate amounts produced by the bacteria in the
intestine and the diet. However, antibiotics can destroy
necessary flora in the intestine which can decrease vitamin
K production. Hypoprothrombinemia is seen in a vitamin K
deficiency.
Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. The primary
function of vitamin E as an anti-oxidant is to prevent
non-enzymatic oxidation of cell components by molecular
oxygen and free radicals. Vitamin E also helps to prevent
blood clots, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Vitamin E is
essential for healthy skin, fertility, and improves wound
healing. Deficiencies of vitamin E have been seen with
abnormal cellular membranes. No toxic effects have been
seen with this vitamin.
All essential vitamins are necessary for good health.
Understanding what vitamins are essential and how the
essential vitamins benefit health is only half the battle.
Today many can buy vitamins online. Buying vitamins online
might just be the answer to nutrition needs.
Kristy Haugen is a mother with a Bachelor in Biology and
Chemistry. She is interested in health and informing the
consumer. Are your in need of a vitamin supplement. Buy
vitamins online at
http://www.vitaminmaniac.com/provitamintext.htm
Tags: Vitamins and Supplements
That Brilliant Vitamin: Vitamin B
Charlene J. Nuble
Perhaps you first read riboflavin at the back of a cereal box.
Perhaps you first encountered folic acid from your first grade
science teacher. Perhaps you first heard balanced diet from
your mom. All that and more compose Vitamin B which is a group
of eight individual vitamins, often referred to as B vitamins
or B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B promotes normal growth and
development, treats anemia and some types of nerve damage,
helps mental and nervous conditions, improves resistance to
infection and disease, increases appetite and energy, and
improves memory. Vitamin B is also essential for the breakdown
of carbohydrates into glucose, breakdown of fats and proteins,
muscles in the stomach and intestinal tract, skin, hair, eyes,
mouth, and liver.
As mentioned earlier, Vitamin B is a group of eight individual
vitamins. These vitamins are thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2),
niacin, pyrodixine (B-6), folic acid (B-9), cyanocobalamin
(B-12), panthotenic acid, and biotin.
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is essential for the conversion of
carbohydrates into simple sugars called glucose which produces
energy. This Vitamin B is also essential for the proper
functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Thiamine
deficiency is rare but often occurs to alcoholics because
alcohol oftentimes interferes with the absorption of Vitamin B
thiamine through the intestines. There are also several health
implications associated with being thiamine deficient. One is
beriberi, a disease characterized by anemia, paralysis,
muscular atrophy, and spasms in the leg muscles. Other
disorders associated with being thiamine deficient is
Wernicke’s encephelopathy which causes lack of coordination,
Korsakoff’s psychosis which affects short-term memory. Being
thiamine deficient can also affect the mouth resulting to
increased sensitivity of the teeth, cheeks, and gums as well as
cracks in the lips. Vitamin B thiamine can be found in
whole-grain cereals, bread, red meat, egg yolks, and green
leafy vegetables. High doses of thiamine has been found not to
cause adverse health effects and excess of this water-soluble
vitamin b can be excreted.
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin is important in the breakdown of
carbohydrates, and fats and proteins. It is also significant in
the maintenance of the skin and mucuous membrane, the cornea of
the eye, and nerve sheaths. Riboflavin deficiency can cause
skin disorders and inflammation of the soft tissue lining
around the mouth and nose. It can also cause the eye to be
hypersensitive to light. Like Thiamine, Riboflavin is found in
whole grain products, milk, meat, and eggs. This is also
excreted because it is a water-soluble vitamin although a
little is stored in the kidney and liver.
Vitamin B3 Niacin, also known as nicotinamide, is important in
metabolism as well as in the maintenance of healthy skin,
nerves, and gastrointestinal tract. Niacin deficiency can
result to a disease called pellegra. The symptoms of pellegra
are sometimes called “Three Ds” - diarrhea, dermatitis, and
dementia. The mouth is also affected by pellegra which causes
the inside of the cheeks and tongue to become red and painful.
Vitamin B3 can be found in dairy products, poultry, fish, lean
meat, nuts, and eggs. Niacin can also be prescribed in higher
doses as drugs to help lower cholesterol but this can cause
side effects such as flushing of the skin , itching, headaches,
cramps, nausea, and skin eruptions.
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine which is also known as pyridoxal
phosphate is used in the production of red blood cells and in
the biochemical reactions involved in the metabolism of amino
acids. It is also responsible in the synthesis of of antibodies
in the immune system and helps maintain normal brain function.
Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare except for alcoholics. It causes
skin disorders, abnormal nervous system known as neuropathy,
confusion, poor coordination, and insomnia. Inflammation of the
lips, tongue and the rest of the mouth are oral symptoms of
Vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 can be found in organ meats,
brown rice, fish, whole grains, fortified breads and cereals,
and legumes.
Vitamin B9 Folacin is a Vitamin B-complex which interacts with
Vitamin B12 for the synthesis of DNA which is important for all
cells in the body. Folacin, a combination of Vitamin B12 and
Vitamin C, is essential in the breakdown of proteins and
production of red blood cells, tissue growth, and cell
function. It also stimulates appetite and formation of
digestive acids. Folacin deficiency causes anemia, stunted
growth, and irritation of the mouth. Alcoholics, the
malnourished, the poor, the elderly, and those who have certain
illnesses are usually the ones found to be Vitamin B9
deficients.Vitamin B9 is found in legumes, citrus fruits, whole
grain cereals, and green vegetables.
Vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin like all other Vitamin B-complex is
essential in the processing of carbohydrates, proteins, and
fats. Vitamin B12 is also needed for maintenance of our nerve
sheaths, activates amino acids during protein formation, and
helps in the perpetuation of cells and fomation of new ones.
One interesting thing about Vitamin B12 is that it cannot be
absorbed by the body unless combined with mucoprotein made in
the stomach. Once Vitamin B12 attaches to the mucoprotein, it
travels in the small intestine to be absorbed by the body.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is recurrently seen in strict
vegetarians who do not take vitamin supplements. A deficiency
can also cause pernicious anemia which in turn causes weakness,
numbness of the extremities, and fever.
Pantothenic acid and biotin are the last two Vitamin
B-complexes. Pantothenic acid is used in the breakdown of
carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids while biotin functions
as a coenzyme in carboxylation reactions. There is no known
disorder associated with pantothenic acid deficiency while
deficiency in biotin can cause scaly dermatitis which is a skin
disorder. Pantothenic acid is mainly found in meat, legumes, and
whole-grain cereals while abundance of biotin is found in beef
liver, mushrooms, and egg yolk.
About The Author: Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links
and information about vitamins, please go to:
http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and
information on all health related topics, go to:
http://www.besthealthlink.net/
Tags: Vitamins and Supplements
