Healthy Eating: The Surprising Benefits of Calcium

Calcium is essential for your overall health, but most people are not getting enough. Increasing calcium intake can be difficult, especially for those who do not like or do not tolerate dairy products. This natural compound is lost daily through skin, hair, nails, urine, and sweat. If the calcium lost is not replaced, your body will take it from the bones. Researchers have found that calcium plays a key role in muscle contraction, blood clotting, bone and tooth formation, and nerve impulse transmission. The body also needs calcium to produce hormones and enzymes.

What Is Calcium?

The most abundant mineral in the human body is required for nerve transmission, muscle function, hormonal secretion, vascular contraction and other critical metabolic functions. This mineral is found in a wide range of foods, from vegetables and fruits to fish and meat. Over 99 percent of calcium is stored in teeth and bones. The remaining one percent is found in muscles, blood, and interstitial fluid.

In order to absorb enough calcium, the human body needs vitamin D, which can be found in eggs, liver, fatty fish, fortified milk, butter, and sunflower seeds. For this reason most dietary supplements containing calcium are fortified with vitamin D. The best way to get calcium is from food.

Calcium Health Benefits

Adequate amounts of this mineral slow the rate of bone loss that naturally occurs with age and help build optimum bone mass during childhood. It's not only your bones that benefit from calcium. Research shows that this natural compound lowers blood pressure, supports weight loss, reduces symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and promotes strong bones. Individuals who eat foods rich calcium face a lower risk of colon cancer.

This mineral helps in maintaining an optimum body weight in both men and women. It also protects your heart muscles, prevents kidney stones, and helps maintain a healthy pH level. For overweight or obese people, three or more servings of dairy products a day will boost the metabolism and accelerate weight loss. Studies suggest that regular consumption of foods rich in calcium leads to a decreased risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Sources of Calcium

Calcium is widely available in green leafy vegetables, dairy products, beans, greens broccoli, orange juice, kale, and Swiss chard. It can also be found in some types of fish, including sardines and salmon. Cheese, milk, and yogurt are rich in calcium. For children, low fat or fat free ice cream are calcium rich treats. If this mineral can not be obtained through diet, calcium supplements are a viable option.

Healthy eating is important for the well-being of your mind and body. Eating foods rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, fatty acids and other essential nutrients is the key to proper health.

- By Dominic H Milner

1:28 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Glutamine Helps Stomach Ulcers

 

Glutamine (abbreviated as Gln or Q) is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the standard genetic code. It is not recognized as an essential amino acid but may become conditionally essential in certain situations, including intensive athletic training or certain gastrointestinal disorders - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

by: Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc., is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert. Richards is the first to explain the relevance of leptin and its link to solving obesity.

A new animal experiment shows the power of glutamine to dramatically reduce the inflammation caused by excessive H. pylori infection – a typical cause of ulcers.  “Our findings suggest that extra glutamine in the diet could protect against gastric damage caused by H. pylori,” says senior author Susan Hagen, PhD, Associate Director of Research in the Department of Surgery at BIDMC and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

“Gastric damage develops when the bacteria weakens the stomach’s protective mucous coating, damages cells and elicits a robust immune response that is ineffective at ridding the infection.” Eventually, she notes, years of infection result in a combination of persistent gastritis, cell damage and an environment conducive to cancer development.

“Our work demonstrated that the damaging effects of ammonia on gastric cells could be reversed completely by the administration of L-glutamine,” explains Hagen. “The amino acid stimulated ammonia detoxification in the stomach – as it does in the liver – so that the effective concentration of ammonia was reduced, thereby blocking cell damage.”

Glutamine is not in a free form in food, meaning it must be digested and absorbed before it can be sent to your digestive tract.  The use of antacid medication reduces protein digestion and absorption, setting up a nasty catch 22.

However, supplemental glutamine can go to work directly on your digestive tract without being absorbed.  This study shows how effectively glutamine can reduce digestive tissue damage by controlling inflammation.  Keep in mind that H. pylori is a normal inhabitant of every person’s digestive tract.  Like Candida, it only becomes a problem when it gets out of balance.

A healthy digestive tract lining is a fundamental principle of health and assists you to not let any “bad guys” gain an undue toe hold in your digestive tract.  In fact, the only way to really regain digestive health includes having a healthy GI tract lining – not just trying to kill or reduce numbers of potential undesirable organisms - e-healtharticles.com

12:59 AM | 0 comments | Read More

The Best Dietary Supplements: How Do You Know What You Need?

You are probably one of the millions of people who use a daily dietary supplement or two. It may be a multi-vitamin or a specific mineral or herb that you look for to add nutritional value to your body's systems. Call it extra fortification. Most people believe that there is some sort of benefit to nutritional supplements. How much of a benefit and what kind of benefit is still up for debate. Many still disagree about which are necessary and which are just a waste of money. And it's not always about the brand name on the bottle. What many people look at is the science behind the formula. It's really about the best "classes or "families" of dietary supplements for targeted health benefits.

Best Dietary Supplements for General Health

- Daily Multivitamin with Minerals

Vitamins are substances that encourage the regular biological processes of your body. As a general rule, if your body cannot immediately use either a vitamin or a mineral, that substance will be removed from the bloodstream through either the urinary or gastrointestinal systems. Some are water-soluble, others are fat soluble.

Yes, you can get much of what you need from food; however, most don't. This is often because the food itself has been processed or cooked in manner that the nutrients are removed.

- Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a known antioxidant. Antioxidant help neutralize potentially harmful byproducts, or free radicals, from the bloodstream. Additionally, vitamin C is known to be essential in combating common viral infections such as influenza.

Best Dietary Supplement for Weight Loss

- Green Coffee Bean Extract (Chlorogenic Acid)

Chlorogenic Acid, a component of unroasted (green) coffee beans, is known to interfere with the enzymes that govern the body's metabolism and storage of glucose. When combined with a program of daily exercise, Green Coffee Bean Extract has been reported to be a significant contributor to weight loss.

- Heart Health for Easy Weight Loss

Support your Cardiovascular system. This is good advice overall. However, more and more science confirmed by the team behind Military Grade Nutritionals shows that a healthy heart can help you with your weight loss goal. Ongoing research confirms that building your nutritional and exercise program on the foundation of a healthy heart gets the best results. This isn't about overnight results. And, it's not about an unhealthy or unsustainable diet gimmick. Getting your desired weight is easier once your body's systems are balanced.

- Chromium Picolinate

This has been shown to improve lean muscle mass. Muscle is important for a lot of things however, it's a great way to easily metabolize the foods you eat. Efficient metabolism makes weight loss much easier... without the need for starvation diets which are very unhealthy and ultimately lead to more weight gain.

- Red Yeast Rice Extract

While pharmaceuticals are not the desired route, many drugs on the market are made from natural ingredients. Lovastin, which is used to lower cholesterol includes Red Yeast Rice Extract in their formula. This Extract blocks the liver's transformation of dietary fats to lipoprotein. As a result, the amount of bad cholesterol in your system is lowered.

- Folic Acid / Vitamin B6

You wouldn't think that working out and being healthy could be harmful; however, without the right knowledge it can be. This is one reason many bodybuilders end up with heart problems. Even with a healthy lifestyle. This is not a result of bad or illegal supplementation either. This is about protein. You need it to build muscle and most bodybuilders used milk-based protein powder. One its own, that's not bad. In fact, protein powders are very beneficial. The problem arises when their isn't enough Folic Acid to process the milk-based protein. This leads to build-up of homocysteine in the blood and then heart disease. By supplementing the diet with adequate Folic Acid, your heart can remain healthy even as you build muscle.

- Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The "Omega-3s" are a natural component of fish oil. Daily doses of Omega-3s, in addition to Red Yeast Rice Extract, may help to further lower the body's cholesterol levels. The Omega-3s also have antioxidant properties. It's believed that it may be a factor in the known lower rate of heart disease in populations where regular consumption of fish is part of their regular diets.

Best Dietary Supplements for the Central Nervous System

- Precursors of Neurotransmitters

You have to support the cells of your brain and nervous system. Dietary substances which are rich in melatonin and tyrosine can help ensure that the body always has a steady supply of precursor molecules.

Best Dietary Supplements for Brain Health

-Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola has a long tradition as a medicinal plant used in Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions. There are lots of sources that talk about this plants wound healing and memory enhancement effects, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and much more. There is ongoing research into how this supplement may be beneficial in overall aging brain health especially as it related to Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. There is also promising research that shows it may have a positive effect on learning and memory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7269687

5:09 AM | 0 comments | Read More

How to Build a Healthy Immune System: The Benefits of Probiotics

What Kind of Warriors Are Needed to Build a Healthy Immune System?

Have you struggled with catching everything that is going around? Do you suffer with irritable bowel syndrome, stomach cramps, irregularity? Are you frustrated with what to do to feel your best as you get older? Good news - there is hope for improvement.

Did you know that 80 percent of your immune system is located in your digestive system? This means that you need a healthy gut if you truly want to maintain optimal health and this can be achieved by the delivery of 500 million warriors, also known as friendly bacteria, in the form of probiotics.

The number one defense against all disease is a robust immune system. This is because the nutritional root of many health concerns is directly related to an imbalance of the intestinal bacteria. The optimal balance for good health is about 85% good bacteria to about 15% bad bacteria.

Healthy food choices will help with the bacteria balance. But, similar to keeping your yard covered with green grass, you might need to "reseed" areas that have become a bit barren for whatever reason.

The warriors for a healthy intestinal system you are striving for have several important functions:

- Digesting and absorbing certain undigested starches, sugars, and fiber, and then converting these carbohydrates into sources of needed energy and nutrients.

- Helping to produce vitamin K and B vitamins, promoting mineral absorption, and also aiding in metabolism and the breakdown of toxins.

- Keeping bad bacteria under control.

- Preventing allergies by distinguishing between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately because of these friendly bacteria.

- Providing vital support to your gut's immune system and your systemic immune system.

Probiotics, I mean "warriors," perform many functions to help you build a healthy immune system.

A few of them include help with:

- food and skin allergies

- vaginitis or candida

- inflammatory bowel disease

- recurrent ear and bladder infections

- chronic diarrhea or constipation

- acid reflux

- flatulence and bloating

- taking antibiotics

- stomach ache & digestive disorders

Look for these features in your probiotics:

- Doesn't need refrigeration

- Has a long shelf life

- Has good protection to survive stomach acid and reaches your small intestine

- Live cultures arrive safely in the small intestine where they can be effective

Building a healthy immune system is important to maintain good health. Rally your own 500 million warriors and get your gut ruled by friendly bacteria!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7290700

2:58 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Natural Supplements For Pain Relief

Is Joint Pain Ruining Your Life?

Many diseases and conditions can cause joint pain, these may include arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis and fibromyalgia. You can help to eliminate or reduce your chronic pain by identifying the type and cause of joint pain you have.

There are various causes of joint pain and the treatment is also various from one patient to another. Like any kind of therapy, your reaction to a given medication is not actually how another individual will respond. Some individuals may not do well with one medication but do excellent with another. The symptoms and the causes also are a deciding factor for what treatment should be used.

Natural remedies for pain relief

Most victims of arthritis and joint pain often turn to the natural herbal remedies for pain relief when other pain relief methods fail. More and more sufferers are trying out natural pain relief methods successfully which is the prior reason why other victims are trying this route as well.

Alfalfa- this herb is loaded with magnesium, calcium and many other important nutrients. It is a great way to acquire the nutrients that your body needs to combat inflammation. It also reduces the acid level in the body.

Angelica Dong Quai - has anti-swelling properties and is also used to lessen pain. It can be consumed as a tea for some weeks. Not suggested for constant usage.

Turmeric- contains a substance that gives this herb yellow color. Studies have shown that it offers relief from difficulty and swelling of the joints without any side effects that cause intestinal distress.

Black Cohosh Viburnum- is a strong herb with properties similar to aspirin and is used to decrease pain and irritation.

Ginger- it is a unique tasting spice, also sold in the form of supplement that has anti inflammatory properties useful for curing arthritis.

Horsetail- is rich in minerals, selenium and silica that are important in supporting and strengthening the connective tissue.

Warm water- warmness is very helpful for joint pain. You can take a shower or put warm water over the affected area. It reduces the joint pain.

Eucalyptus Oil- this performs really well for many people. Just rub the eucalyptus oil over the location to help relieve the pain. To improve the efficiency you can implement a heated hand towel to the place which allows the oil to penetrate through and decrease the ache.

One can try these natural remedies at home and see the difference in their lives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7269682

5:04 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Activated Charcoal for Gas,bloating & abdominal pain.

Activated Carbon or charcoal is a oxygen treated charcoal processed to be riddled with small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.

Health Benefits

Activated Carbon is used in the treatment of food poisoning ,as it binds the poison and prevents its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.It is greatly used in the treatment of Gas and abdominal dis-comforts. In Homeopathy carbon is used to prepare a medicine called “Carbo Vegetabilis” which is used  to treat Abdominal distention,heaviness,fullness,slow digestion and eructation's.

4:34 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Cod Liver Oil for Strong Bones and Healthy Joints

Cod Liver oil is rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids,DHA & EPA along with Vitamin A and Vitamin D.Doctors used to prescribe Cod Liver Oil in order to prevent rickets and other symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in Children.

Cod Liver Oil is taken by adults to ease pain in joint stiffness associated with arthritis.It has positive effect on heart as EPA(EicosaPentaenoic Acid)helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.Cod Liver Oil is also beneficial in maintaining healthy nervous system, skin and good eyesight and helps to prevent high blood pressure and high cholesterol .

However Pregnant women should best avoid using Cod Liver Oil as high amount of natural forms of vitamin A such as retinol. High doses of synthetic vitamin A (retinoid) have been shown to cause birth defects.Vitamin A accumulates in body fat, and can reach harmful levels sufficient to cause hypervitaminosis.There may be an increased risk of gestational hypertension as well.

4:02 AM | 0 comments | Read More