Why Take Vitamin and Mineral Supplements?

What You Need to Know About Zinc Supplementation
People tend to consider zinc when they have a cold. Taking zinc supplements and lozenges won't cure a cold, but they can boost your immune system so that if you do develop a cold it won't last as long or develop into a more serious condition.  

Oysters have the highest zinc content. However, meats, such as liver, chicken, and turkey are also excellent sources of zinc so that it is rare that people have a deficiency. Dairy products also contain significant levels of zinc. Vegetarians do not consume meat and are at greatest risk of zinc deficiency. In adults, an insufficient amount of zinc in the body can result in changes in the condition of the hair and skin, and a loss of appetite. Others who may have difficulty absorbing zinc include individuals in the hospital who receive nutrients through a feeding tube, alcoholics, and women who take birth control pills.

The recommended amount of zinc that individuals should consume is 15 milligrams. This amount is found in most multivitamins, so if you don't consume the foods that are sources of zinc or it has been discovered that you have a zinc absorption problem, taking a multivitamin should be sufficient to obtain the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc. The case for taking a multivitamin with zinc makes sense because zinc is not stored in the body and you need the minimum every day.

Zinc has been discovered to assist couples with fertility. High doses of zinc (50 milligrams) can result in an increase in semen. Zinc supplementation is particularly beneficial in men who have a low sperm count. In women, zinc supplementation can make conception more likely by affecting the levels of hormones in the body.

This method of fertility treatment is one that should not be undertaken without first consulting a medical doctor. High doses of zinc supplements can affect the body's ability to absorb copper, a mineral that is necessary for a healthy immune system. High doses of zinc can also lower the amount of high-density (good cholesterol) in the blood. Zinc supplementation may not be a good idea if you are taking medication.

Vitamin Supplements To Take You From Sluggish To High Energy
If you feel like your “get up and go got up and went” it’s time to pick yourself up and find energizing ways to make yourself feel better. One of the reasons we lack energy is because we simply need the right nutrition to add spunk to our step. If you’ve been feeling a bit under the weather, here are some ideas to add to your overall health and nutritional needs:

VITAMIN B12 A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to anemia. This can lead to tiredness, listlessness and other problems that might deplete your energy. You can buy sublingual B12 for a quick fix and add it to your overall vitamin regimen or you can eat B12 enriched foods which include a large variety of breakfast cereals. Additional sources for Vitamin B12 include milk, eggs and cheese. Include Vitamin B12 in your diet and notice your increased energy within days! Visit your local pharmacy for B12 supplements.

ACAI BERRY - is a little berry that packs a powerful punch. Oprah listed it as one of the top 10 super foods for age-defying beauty. This berry will increase your energy and improve mental clarity as well as many other helpful and healthful benefits! Search for products that list ACAI BERRY as an ingredient; it is a life-changing super food that your body needs! There is presently a flood of health drinks available over the internet that list Acai Berry as an active ingredients. Fruta Vida International and Monavie offer the more flavorful drinks on the market today.

BEE POLLEN - Considered one of “nature’s most perfect foods”, Bee Pollen fights problems associated with allergies, aids digestion, and will quickly increase your energy levels! Check your local Health Food Stores, Wal-Mart, or your local or online pharmacy.

VITAMIN D - If you are feeling run-down, scramble up some eggs for breakfast and grill some chicken for dinner because both eggs and poultry will certainly help to replenish the Vitamin D your body needs to feel energized!

YERBA MATE - In addition to gaining overnight success as an effective appetite suppressant, Yerba Mate boosts energy levels together and makes several other claims to achieving a healthier way to live your life to the fullest! Some drinks that contain Acai Berry also contain Yerba Mate.

In addition to the nutritional suggestions listed above, make sure you are getting the recommended eight hours of sleep per night if you are not at your best. Cut back on caffeine and alcohol intake. Diet changes may be necessary in order for you to experience an overall increase in energy. Stock up on fruit and vegetable juices and take time to fix healthy meals at home instead of grabbing something at a fast food restaurant.

While you try different food sources to increase your energy levels from a nutritional standpoint, implementing a scheduled exercise routine is the other part of the equation. One of the easiest routines to implement is a fitness walking program. Walking will keep you active, increase mental alertness, improve your overall well-being and boost your energy levels!

Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: Avoiding Fad Diet Shams
In this day and age you simply cannot pick up a magazine or turn on a television set without seeing an advertisement for some sort of new diet program or plan. With all of the claims being made in regard to the various diet regimens it can be very difficult to determine what diet plans will work and what diet plans will not be effective. Included within many diet plans are the usage of different types of vitamin and nutritional supplement products.

There are a number of factors that you need to keep in mind when weighing and balancing a diet program that you are considering implementing. In this regard, you will want to take a look at how a diet program incorporates the usage of vitamins and nutritional supplements and at what sorts of claims a particular diet plan makes to its adherents.

Unfortunately, there are many marketing campaigns underway in this day and age that promote vitamins and nutritional supplements in such a way that these products seem like “wonder drugs.” There are many operators who are hawking vitamin and nutritional supplement products with claims that they will work wonders, that they will permit you to undergo a rapid weight loss.

There are, indeed, some products which can assist a person in losing weight rather fast. However, fast weight loss is not always healthy weight loss. In fact, study after study confirms that many people who have experienced a rapid weight loss -- many times using a vitamin or nutritional supplement product -- have ended up regaining the lost weight (or even more) in the end.

They key to incorporating nutritional supplements as well as vitamins into an overall program is to ensure that these products work towards both health and sustained weight loss. In other words, it is vital to avoid fad diets.

Fad diets are not only ineffective in the long run -- these diet plans and regimens can cause serious health problems to an adherent. Once again, it is vital that you avoid those diet plans that make outlandish claims. In the end, weight loss and proper weight maintenance requires healthy dieting, the proper use of nutritional supplements as well as vitamins and regular, appropriate exercise. By combining these three elements of health living, you will be well on your way towards reaching your weight loss goals -- and towards keeping the weight off on into the future.

The Green Food Supplement Alfalfa
The health benefits of alfalfa are largely unsupported scientifically, although there is plenty of anecdotal enthusiasm for it. Alfalfa is highly nutritious, containing approximately 16% protein, and 8% of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. It also contains small amounts of the vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Alfalfa is believed to support the immune system, help in normalizing blood clotting, assist with the absorption of nutrients, alleviate hot flushes, cleanse the blood, and promote heart health.

New research also found that alfalfa sprouts and other sprouted vegetables (like broccoli and clover sprouts), may help protect new cells from DNA damage. In the trial conducted on human cells in vitro, researchers at the University of Ulster's School of Biomedical Sciences found that whilst sprouts didn't improve the health of already damaged DNA, it did protect cells from new damage. DNA damage is a biochemical indicator of cancer.

However, there are a few things to consider before adding a lot of sprouts to your diet, or supplementing with alfalfa.

Sprouts can harbor bacteria that leads to food poisoning. This is particularly of issue for children, the elderly, and people with immune related illnesses, like Aids. The problem can be eliminated if sprouts are cooked, but then you don't get the benefit of all the enzymes in them, and some vitamins may be lost. There was an outbreak of salmonella in 2002 in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, and the FDA recommends that sprouts be cooked first.

And in 1995, alfalfa sprouts were associated with an outbreak of salmonella in Chicago. 17 people experienced symptoms ranging from diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and headaches, and 4 people had to be hospitalized. Many organic growers, however, feel their seeds are safe, and the risk is exaggerated. Washing sprouts well can minimize the risk of bacterial poisoning like salmonella. Thorough washing also removes mold, another possible problem.

One potential issue intrinsic to alfalfa is that it has been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in animal studies (as opposed to human trials or cases). Alfalfa supplements have been associated with the activation of dormant SLE as well. SLE is an autoimmune disease, which can damage the kidneys and other organs.

Alfalfa can also interfere with the way the body uses vitamin E, and has been linked to abnormalities in the blood. These possible issues make taking alfalfa supplements long term a bit risky.
 
References:
1. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=52995
2. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=34189
3. Dr Kenneth Cooper, Advanced Nutritional Therapies

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The Importance of Vitamin B-12 Supplementation in a Vegetarian Diet
It's something we read or hear about all the time: people, in general, do not eat healthy. The average diet contains too much saturated fat and simple carbohydrates, elements that can lead to heart disease, obesity and other serious conditions. While not all people who follow a vegetarian diet do so for health reasons, such a diet is beneficial to the health.

There are three main types of vegetarians. Lacto vegetarians do not consume any meat, but instead live on fruits, vegetables and dairy. The lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is similar to the lacto vegetarian, with the exception that individuals who follow this diet consume eggs. As the name implies, fruitarians follow a diet restricted to fruits, but they may also eat nuts and seeds. Considered the most strict vegetarian diet, vegans do not eat meat, eggs, or dairy.

The only negative aspect of the vegetarian lifestyle is the high probability of vitamin deficiency. Depending on the type of vegetarian diet followed, an individual may not obtain the proper nutrients their body needs to function properly. One vitamin that is absent in most vegetarian diets is B-12. Vitamin B-12, which exists in meat, dairy, eggs, and poultry and is essential in the development of red blood cells and a healthy central nervous system. The common symptoms of B-12 deficiency include dementia, fatigue, hallucinations, balance problems, and vision disturbances.

People who have followed a vegetarian diet most of their life are more at risk of B-12 deficiency. Since B-12 can be reabsorbed, people who become a vegetarian later in life will typically do not display any symptoms of deficiency for as many as five years. It is a good idea to prevent deficiency from occurring because it is relatively difficult to reverse the effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency can also result in increased levels of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is an antioxidant that when in high levels can have a toxic effect on the body. This is an important issue because as many as 20% of the people diagnosed with heart disease have elevated levels of homocysteine in their blood.

The recommended dosage of vitamin B-12 is 10 micrograms. If you follow a vegetarian lifestyle, it is recommended that you have your blood checked to check for deficiency. If your doctor detects that you have a B-12 deficiency, they will provide additional information about the amount of B-12 you should take.

http://www.FoodHealthDiet.com

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - Tribulus
Tribulus terrestris is a herb that comes from a plant found in Asia. It has been used in the past by many cultures for the treatment of liver, kidney and cardiovascular diseases. It has also been used as a diuretic and to treat infertility. In recent years strength athletes in eastern Europe are reputed to have used it to enhance performance.

It is believed to enhance testosterone levels by encouraging the production of lutenizing hormone. Studies have shown that when lutenizing hormone levels are increased, the natural production of testosterone also increases.

It is difficult to assess the validity of tribulus as a muscle growth enhancer because none of the studies carried out have appeared in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Its proponents do suggest that it can prove useful when stacked with 100 mg of DHEA and 100 mg of androstenedione but this takes us into the equally uncertain territory of prohormones which we have covered in a separate article.

If you do wish to experiment with tribulus you can take 750-1250 mg per day divided between meals. Some people experience stomach upsets but this can be minimized by taking it with food. There's no guarantee that tribulus terrestris will help you grow bigger muscles but many users report a much improved sex drive!

Probiotics & Their Use As A Dietary Supplement
Many people are unfamiliar with probiotics, but there are studies to show that these supplements may be beneficial in the treatment of various ailments. Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain possible beneficial bacteria. Certain types of yogurt, for example, contain probiotics in therapeutic quantities. This simply means that some foods contain enough of this supplement to be helpful and is measured in quantities where it cannot be overindulged.

Probiotics are believed to assist the body’s digestive system and are sometimes recommended by physicians. More frequently, however, probiotics are recommended by nutritionists as part of a healthy, well balanced diet program. Some theories even exist that suggest these dietary supplements may help to strengthen the immune system. While there is no recorded evidence to suggest that probiotics can replace damaged parts of the body’s digestive tracts, there is proof that it can form temporary associations that may help to produce the same functions while the damaged areas have additional time to recover. By allowing the body with additional recovery time, probiotics may offer both valuable and temporary assistance.

In addition to aiding in digestion and improving the immune system, probiotics are also thought to help prevent constipation, reduce the occurrence of insomnia and may help to reduce stress-related ailments. Stress is believed to be responsible for the onset of many illnesses, which is why research continues in an attempt to find ways to help reduce these ailments. What is one of the main illnesses related to stress? The answer is high blood pressure which, alone, can be extremely dangerous and may lead to other problems if not maintained.

Certain types of commercial products, namely health foods, contain a specific amount of probiotics. As mentioned previously in this article, such products may include yogurt or sauerkraut. Probiotic foods and dietary products are the most common forms of the dietary supplements, but tablets and capsules are also sometimes made available. Individuals may ask their physician about various types of foods and the amount of probiotics that each contains.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as professional medical advice. The information contained herein should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, a doctor’s recommendation . Prior to beginning any treatment regimen, including one that involves the use of probiotics, an individual who develops an illness of any type should consult a licensed physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.



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Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - BCAA's

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Arginine
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that the body cannot make naturally. It is found in nuts, seeds, chocolate and raisins.

Arginine is used by the body in the execution of many important physiological processes including hormone secretion, output of growth hormone, removal of toxins from the body and enhancement of the immune system. It is also a precursor of nitric oxide which vasodiolates vessels in the body. For this reason arginine is often used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, sexual dysfunction and infertility. Recent research has also highlighted arginine's ability to scavenge free radicals, remove bad cholesterol, enhance fat metabolism and regulate salt levels.

There are several reasons why arginine appeals to bodybuilders:

1. It prevents the retention of water under the skin thus minimizing bloating and helping to create a ripped appearance.

2. It helps the body to retain nitrogen that is essential to the muscle building process.

3. Its vasodilating abilities support muscle growth.

4. It enhances protein synthesis.

5. It helps to boost the immune system allowing harder training and minimizing the minor illnesses that come from overtraining.

With any amino acid supplement overdosing can lead to weakness and nausea so care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer's instructions should be followed in all instances.