Making Vitamins Plain And Simple

It's no wonder we are pretty confused when shopping for vitamins. We've been told, for example, that a good vitamin supplement would boost our energy level. In fact, we're told this constantly: in magazine articles, television media, the plethora of vitamin- promoting infomercials, web sites, and pop-up ads on the Internet.

 

So when you arrive at the vitamin shop, you're already at a complete loss (and may have forgotten altogether) why you're even there, and end up like many of us, just not taking any vitamins at all because it's all so...so...confusing!

 

Vitamin World, Vitamin Gallery, The Vitamin Patch, Vitamins for Vegetarians -- the vast array of shops, whether online or in your neighbourhood, all beckon, promising renewed everything. If you have any health problem or complaint known to man, you'll find a good vitamin supplement (or 12 to 15 of them) to straighten out your suffering right away.

 

The good thing about vitamins (just one of many) is that they're really largely "natural," with very few containing harmful or otherwise irritating, toxic chemicals.

 

To put it plainly, vitamins are good for us because they are derived largely from natural plants and minerals. That's the basic fact. And the benefits are many; it's difficult to take the "wrong" vitamin, and it certainly can't hurt you, so why not give it a swing? But remember: Take everything in moderation.

 

Beta-carotene, for example, is thought to protect against cancer and heart disease. It can dramatically boost the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant, which controls those "free radicals" we've all heard about and prevents them from causing damage to cells that lead to premature disease and aging.

 

Biotin metabolizes protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It also helps in energy production, and there is some proof that it can help people with diabetes by keeping glucose levels reduced. Other benefits include healthy hair, skin and nails, and reducing fatigue, heartburn and some allergies.

 

Folic acid is famous among women who are trying to conceive and those already pregnant. Other benefits include keeping your heart strong, increasing energy and helping ward off Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Vitamins and minerals are now seriously recognized in playing a role in the health and vitality of every organ in the body, from skin and bones to the nervous and immune systems, right up to the brain. Vitamins can lower cholesterol levels, help wounds heal more, raise your sperm count and make you more resistant to colds and flu, asthma, cataracts, and even gum dis-ease.

 

Again, you really can't go wrong with vitamins. Look beyond the fancy marketing and packaging. The key is to focus on your particular ailment and go straight to the natural remedy. Don't let all the hype distract or confuse you; all you really need to do is keep it plain and simple.

Dangers of Using Laxatives For Weight Loss

One popular weight loss supplements available in the market today take the form of tea. Stores all over sell slimming tea, dieter's tea and others but all of them are actually the same. They may appear to be effective, but what is not seen may actually harm you.

 

One of the effects of drinking dieter's tea is frequent bowel movement. This gives people the feeling of body cleansing. These people may get toxins out of their body but it isn't exactly the only thing that slimming tea actually does to the body. Slimming tea contains herbs which are natural laxatives. These include aloe, senna, rhubarb root, cascara, buckthorn and castor oil. These are products which are derived from plants and are used since the ancient times because of their potency in treating constipation and to inducing bowel movement.

 

Cascara, castor oil and senna are substances which are recognized as laxatives available over the counter and are also regulated as drugs. Scientific studies show that diarrhoea induced by laxatives does not absorb significant amounts of calories taken in the body. 

 

The reason for this is that laxatives do not act on the small intestines where most of the calories are absorbed. Instead, they work on the large intestines. If taken in large amounts for prolonged periods, it can affect fat absorption of the body. This may lead to greasy diarrhoea and loss of weight. Abuse of laxatives is common practice among people who suffer from bulimia and anorexia nervosa. 

 

While weight loss can be guaranteed by overdosing on laxatives, it may also cause permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract and the weakening and softening of the bones, a condition known as Osteomalacia. Drinkers of slimming teas may actually patronize the product because they are less expensive and taste better than other laxatives sold in the market. Other people, such as those with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa drink dieter's tea because they work fast and produce watery stool and having loose consistency.

 

Women may even be more susceptible to the effects of slimming teas. Although they may are not known to interfere directly with the woman's menstrual cycle and fertility, they should watch out if drinking them causes them to rapidly shed off weight. It is also not safe for pregnant women to be taking in laxatives of any kind. Wise and responsible herbalists also discourage the use of senna and other herbal products with laxative properties for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive.  

 

One should be wary about these findings because the labelling of slimming teas in the market today can be absolutely misleading. For instance, they commonly refer to the laxative qualities as "natural bowel cleansing properties" and not specifically use the word "laxative”. Some even use the term "low-calorie" on their labelling. These products in fact, contain essentially no calories nor nutrients whatsoever; unless of course, if they are sweetened.

 

Adverse effects of misusing laxatives in the form of slimming tea generally occur when taken in more than or longer than recommended. These include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, fainting, rectal bleeding, electrolyte disorder and dehydration as well as injury and worse, death. It was also reported that excess use of stimulant laxatives cause severe constipation and pain for long periods (as much as for decades) due to the colon losing its function. It eventually led to surgery removing the colon altogether.

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - Tribulus

Bodybuilders are notorious for taking all sorts of nutritional supplements as they strive to build muscle, but are they always familiar with what they are putting into their bodies? This article looks at the potential benefits offered by Tribulus Terrestris.

 

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 Luteinizing hormone. Studies have shown that when Luteinizing 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!

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Arginine

Bodybuilders are notorious for taking all sorts of nutritional supplements as they strive to build muscle, but are they always familiar with what they are putting into their bodies? This article looks at the potential benefits offered by 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 vasodilates 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.

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - BCAA's

Bodybuilders are notorious for taking all sorts of nutritional supplements as they strive to build muscle, but are they always familiar with what they are putting into their bodies? This article looks at the potential benefits offered by BCAA's.

 

BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly being recognized as an important supplement in the field of sports nutrition. In short the term refers to three essential amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine.

 

Amino acids are widely known as the building blocks of protein. When protein food is eaten it gets digested into individual amino acids and short chains of amino acids that are sufficiently small to be absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then used by the body to build and repair tissues amongst other things.

 

Amino acids are split between those classed as essential and those labelled non-essential. This simply means that essential amino acids cannot be made by the body, whereas non-essential amino acids can. There are nine essential amino acids and each must be obtained from the diet. The nine essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

 

Non-essential amino acids are just as important as the essential variety and the term simply means they can be made by the body from vitamins and other amino acids. The non-essential amino acids are alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine.

 

The BCAA's are especially important to athletes because they are metabolized in the muscle rather than the liver. This means that they can be used either to build new proteins or be burned as fuel to create energy. Supplementing with BCAA's has been shown to result in measurable gains in both muscle strength and size. Taken before a workout BCAA's can improve performance and delay the onset of fatigue. They also operate as anabolic agents allowing the body to burn fat and not muscle.

 

As a supplement that has no reported side effects, branched chain amino acids offer many benefits to the serious bodybuilder.

Joint Pain Relief

Arthritis is often a chronic disease meaning it can affect the person afflicted over a long period of time. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated through a variety of methods and products. Learning how to manage your joint pain over the long term is an important factor in controlling the disease and maintaining a good quality of life.

 

Sports-related activities, as well as falls and other trauma, can injure the cartilage within a joint and, if it is not provided sufficient time to heal, chronic pain and persistent disability can follow. These activities and incidents may increase the risk of osteoarthritis, especially if there's impact involved or there's the risk of injury to ligaments. Additionally, damage to the bone surface can start a biological process that results in joint degeneration. This, in turn, often leads to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

 

Arthritis is often a chronic disease meaning it can affect the person afflicted over a long period of time. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated through a variety of methods and products. Learning how to manage your joint pain over the long term is an important factor in controlling the disease and maintaining a good quality of life. This is a brief overview of some of the methods that arthritis sufferers can use to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with arthritis, especially joint pain. Products, both prescription and over-the-counter, for of relieving arthritic joint pain are described in Joint Pain Products.

 

Heat and Cold

 

Heat and/or cold therapy is not recommended to alleviate symptoms associated with all types of arthritis and as such, the decision whether to use it or not should be discussed with your doctor or physical therapist. If your care provider determines that the use of heat and/or cold is appropriate for use on your arthritis pain, it must be determined which kind of temperature treatment should be used. Moist heat, such as a warm bath or shower, or dry heat, such as a heating pad, placed on affected joint for about 15 minutes may relieve the pain. An ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel and placed on the sore area for about 15 minutes may help to reduce swelling and stop the pain. If you have poor circulation, do not use cold packs.

 

Joint Protection

 

In order to relieve the stress of everyday activity on an afflicted joint, which can exacerbate the condition and may lead to additional injury, a splint or brace can be used to allow joints to rest and keep them from being used. As with many other treatments, a medical care provider such as a physician or physical therapist can make recommendations and possibly provide you with the brace.

 

Massage

 

Massage is associated with temporarily relieving joint pain, one of the major symptoms associated with arthritis, rather than treating the underlying cause of a loss of cartilage. A massage therapist will typically lightly stroke and/or knead the muscles around the joint, which increases blood flow to the stressed area. It is important to realize that arthritic joints are very sensitive, so the massage therapist must be familiar with the disease and problems associated with the affected joints.

 

Exercise

 

Low-impact exercises such as stretching exercises, swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and range-of-motion exercises may reduce joint pain and stiffness while increasing joint mobility. A physical therapist or gym trainer can help plan an exercise program that will give you the most benefit with the least stress on the arthritis-stressed joints.

 

Weight Reduction

 

In addition to alleviating some symptoms, the weight loss associated with an exercise program is beneficial in relieving the extra stress that extra pounds put on weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Studies have shown that overweight women who lost approximately 10 pounds substantially reduced the development of osteoarthritis in their knees. In addition, these studies suggested that if osteoarthritis has already affected one joint such as the knee or hip, weight reduction would reduce the chance of it occurring in the other knee or hip. A physical therapist or gym trainer can help plan an exercise program that will give you the most benefit with the least stress on the arthritis-stressed joints.

 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

 

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation uses a small device that is placed near the joint afflicted with arthritis and directs mild electric pulses to nerve endings in and around the arthritic joint. It is theorized that TENS blocks the pain messages sent to the brain from the nerves and modifies the body's perception of pain. Although TENS relieves some joint pain associated with arthritis, it doesn't offset the joint inflammation that is associated with arthritis.

 

Surgery

 

In some extreme cases of persons with arthritis, surgery may be necessary. The surgeon may perform an operation to remove the synovium, realign the joint, or in extreme cases, replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. Total joint replacement provides not only dramatic pain relief but also significant improvement in joint motion and mobility for many people with arthritis.

Information About Germanium Supplements

Dietary supplements containing germanium started becoming popular in the 1970s in Japan. From there it spread to other countries, where it became known as an elixir against certain diseases. Germanium is found in the Earth’s crust. Plants and the human body also show traces of germanium. This element is available in plenty of plant foods such as vegetables, leguminous seeds, wheat and bran; while it is almost non-existent in animal foods. Germanium is considered to be the prime reason why nutritional practitioners recommend taking garlic, ginseng, mushroom, and comfrey. Some organic complexes of germanium have shown the capacity to curtail the growth of tumours in animals.

 

A lack of germanium is associated with infection and immune disorders, but the biological role of germanium is still unclear. Germanium is not an essential element. The nutritional supplement form of germanium is known as germanium sesquioxide or Ge-132. This is a synthetic organic product found naturally. This form of germanium has been used to boost the immune system and improve body system functioning. Germanium products have been used to treat a variety of problems like arthritis, heart disease, AIDS, cataracts and cancer. People suffering from neurosis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension and hepatitis also find relief after taking germanium. It is said that germanium causes the production of interferon, which is a naturally occurring anti-cancer agent. By boosting the activity of the natural killer cells in the body, germanium helps the immune system to fight invading germs. To some extent, disease states like osteoporosis and heart disease have responded favourably to germanium therapy. Strong oxygen regulation and antioxidant activity is undertaken by germanium in the human body. 

 

But there is no scientific evidence as to the benefits of germanium. Many herbal supplements containing germanium are mixed with possibly harmful impurities/additives, rendering them dangerous. The use of germanium has been associated with various side effects, so it is dangerous to use this product without consulting a physician. Though its actual toxicity is low, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that supplements that contain germanium present a potential hazard to humans. Therefore the FDA has banned the import of germanium. At least 31 human cases have linked prolonged intake of germanium supplements with kidney failure and even death. Interestingly, germanium found naturally in food products do not appear to be toxic. 

 

Germanium products are available in powdered form or as capsules. The peculiarity of the structure of germanium causes it to be easily contaminated with inorganic germanium, which is more toxic. It is unclear whether the side effects associated with it are due to organic germanium or due to the supplement’s interaction with inorganic germanium. In a study conducted on a small group of humans, even small levels of germanium have been found to be toxic. In many patients, their symptoms got worse, and illness was compounded by side effects. Scientists are vociferous in their warning that inorganic germanium may lead to permanent kidney damage and even death. 

 

Germanium may also interfere with other medications and make certain symptoms worse (seizures, for instance). Very little is known about the effects of germanium on pregnant women. Therefore such women should never take germanium, unless advised by a physician. Other ill effects include weight loss, anaemia, vomiting, muscle weakness, and numbness in the hands and feet. The deadly effects of the toxin builds up with time, and in the long run, symptoms get worse.

Information About Chromium Supplements

An essential trace mineral, chromium is needed for the growth and health of the body. Among other things, it is needed for the breakdown of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Chromium has become the most popular mineral supplement in America, after calcium. It is also one of the most controversial.

 

Chromium offers a mixed bag of good and bad effects. In the positive light, it was reported that chromium supplements would help burn fat and lower blood sugar levels. Chromium supplements are also supposed to build muscle mass, lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease. A recent study shows that chromium seems to have a mild cholesterol-lowering effect. Further research may prove that chromium is helpful in lowering triglyceride levels, while raising the HDL (good) levels. However over-dosage may lead to complications and chromium supplements are best used under medical supervision.

 

Chromium may help to:

 

Control diabetes: In people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas tries to regulate blood sugar levels by secreting insulin. A molecule called ‘Glucose Tolerance Factor’ (GTF) increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin. The GTF molecule contains chromium. Therefore, chromium supplements may help normalize blood sugar levels. Several clinical tests have proven that diabetics who were on chromium supplements were able to reduce their dosage of medication. The effects of chromium are enhanced when taken with niacin (vitamin B3). Studies have also revealed that chromium may have a stabilizing effect on people with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), thus doing away with symptoms like headache, nausea, fatigue, and irritability. 

 

Assist weight loss: 

 

Chromium picolinate assists people with obesity to lose weight. It helps to improve body composition by increasing muscle mass and reducing fat. But studies reveal mixed results because people using chromium supplements lose just about the same amount of weight as people using placebos. It is possible that when combined with a healthy diet and a rigorous exercise program, chromium supplements may aid weight loss. 

 

Prevent heart disease: 

 

Chromium may help raise the HDL (‘good’) cholesterol and lower the LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol levels. There is no proof regarding this and a good diet program combined with exercise can accomplish the same thing. 

 

Chromium is naturally available in the food we eat, and most people who eat a healthy diet do not need chromium supplements. But supplements (not just of chromium) become indispensable in a high-fat diet that depends on over-refined ingredients. Therefore some people develop a chromium deficiency, and in such cases, chromium supplements are necessary. Chromium comes in the form of a capsule, soft gel or tablet. While there is no recommended dosage for chromium, 50 to 200 mcg taken on a daily basis is adequate for adults. Most basic vitamin-mineral combinations have enough chromium to prevent a deficiency. The body seems capable of absorbing all forms of chromium equally well. For optimal absorption, it is better to combine chromium with vitamin C. Taking antacids may impair absorption of this mineral. Excessive amounts of chromium may lead to a deficiency in zinc. 

 

While there have been no indications regarding side effects, over-dosage may lead to kidney failure. A woman who was on a 1,000 mcg daily dosage developed kidney failure after a few months. Long-term and high-dose chromium supplements may damage the body. Chromium picolinate may cause a chromosomal damage that leads to cancer. Diabetics must consult with a doctor before taking chromium supplements. Chromium picolinate also alters certain brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Therefore people with any behavioural disorder should consult a doctor before taking chromium supplements. Chromium may have unknown effects on pregnant or lactating women.

Incorporating Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements Into A Healthy Weight Maintenance Program

If you have spent a great deal of time and exerted a great deal of effort on losing weight, it goes without saying that you do not want to put those ugly pounds back on. Done correctly, a weight loss program is an investment. As a consequence, you are going to want to embark on a program through which you will be able to maintain a healthy weight now and in to the future.

 

Of course, there are two fundamental keys to maintaining a healthy weight. First of all, you need to eat a balanced diet. Such a diet needs to be rich in fruits and vegetables, have a limited amount of lean meat products and should fatty foods as well as refined sugars.

 

In addition to eating correctly, exercise is also an important part of a program designed to maintain a healthy weight both after a weight loss program reaches its goal as well as on into the future.

 

Many experts maintain that the glue that holds both elements of a weight maintenance program together is the proper usage of vitamins and nutritional supplements. A vast majority of weight control experts and nutritionists maintain that a person has a better chance at weight maintenance success through the use of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

 

What you do need to keep in mind is that vitamins and nutritional supplements properly used are not designed as replacements for a healthy diet. Rather, these products are created to help aid and advance the benefits that you can derive from both eating a well-balanced diet and from regular exercise.

 

If you are interested in obtaining various vitamins and nutritional supplements, but are living on a budget, you will want to develop ways in which you can save money on your diet product purchases. The Internet has proven itself to be a reliable resource for men and women looking for reasonable prices on vitamins and nutritional supplement products. By spending a bit of time surfing around the Net, you will be able to find a significant selection of different types of vitamin and nutritional supplement products in a wide price range. Indeed, although the saying may seem trite, in the final analysis, there really is something for everyone when it comes to the availability of vitamins and nutritional supplement products on the World Wide Web.

Hypnosis Weight Loss: Some Ways to Stop the Weighting

Controlling your weight and avoiding weight gain as you get older are important ways to prevent a host of weight-related health problems.

 

Indeed, if you are more than 20 pounds over your ideal weight, you are at greater risk for a rogues’ gallery of potentially deadly conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, endometrial cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, and breast cancer.

 

What’s more, most people who are overweight tend to avoid exercise, and that avoidance just adds to the toll paid for extra pounds. 

 

If you have a sedentary lifestyle and are overweight, you are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems. And, if you already have a medical condition such as high cholesterol, being overweight puts you at higher risk for complications.

 

The good news is that even modest amounts of weight loss can improve your health significantly. Loss of 10% of body weight can reduce blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglyceride, and high blood sugar levels.

 

Today, there are many procedures that can contribute and help people lose weight effectively. One of the known procedure in losing weight is through hypnosis.

 

However, many misconceptions have come up with regards to the application of hypnosis in losing eight. And because it does not involve drugs or any kinds of medications and surgery, many people tend to think that losing weight through hypnosis seems to be one of the safest weight loss program.

 

To know more about hypnosis and its effects on losing weight, here is a list of some facts that will give you an insight about what it can do to your body weight.

 

1. Hypnosis can be an imminently risky if not done properly and not utilize by people who are highly trained with the real concept of hypnosis.

 

Even if many people tend to think that hypnosis will not pose imminent danger to their health, still, it is important to know that the person who will do the procedure is skilled enough and that he or she knows what factors to consider before doing the procedures.

 

2. Hypnosis alone cannot eliminate excess fat from the body and, therefore, make somebody lose weight.

 

Most health experts contend that hypnosis should only be a part of a whole assimilated process. It should never be used as the sole weight loss procedure.

 

Moreover, one session of hypnosis will only have very minimal results on an individual’s weight. When losing weight, hypnosis matched with psychotherapy will be more effective than hypnosis alone. This is because hypnosis is only a state of deeply relaxing the mind, in which one can still be in control of his or her own body.

 

3. Hypnosis is one way of getting into the subliminal state of a person. When a person is on the ‘hypnotic stage’, the body is more responsive to suggestibility because of its intensified state of concentration.

 

However, this does not necessarily mean that through hypnosis, one can already ‘reprogram’ the mind of an individual.

 

In reality, hypnosis can only run the range from trouble-free relaxation condition to proper initiation managed by a professional hypnotists. Hence, it should not be considered paranormal and magical in its upshots.

 

Boiled down, people should be more aware that hypnosis is not a sole effective process in losing weight. It is more of a facilitator of various treatment techniques.

 

Therefore, it should be combined with other weight loss management program to be effective in making people lose excess weight. In this manner, people will be able to lose more weight with a more relaxed and refreshed state of mind.

 

As they say, a healthy mind is a healthy body.