How safe are nutritional supplements and do we know what is in them? Natural supplements are not systematically tested for safety or content.
According an article written by Mayo Clinic Staff, “Herbal supplements: What to know before you buy” (November 17, 2009), manufacturers of herbal supplements do not have to go through the rigorous process of FDA approval before going on the market. Are they safe?
Tale of Two Searches: a Hypothetical Example
Here is an example of how a layperson can fail to obtain important information about a supplement, by relying on one or a few sources of information:
1. Amber is under medical care for polycystic ovarian syndrome and can’t get pregnant. She does a search and takes the herb blue cohosh, an herbal supplement for hormonal balance. Later, she becomes pregnant. She continues to take the supplement, because she thinks it is beneficial.
2. Mary has painful periods. She searches the net and finds a site that mentions the herbal supplement blue cohosh is helpful for dysmenorrhea. But the article also says that the supplement has been used traditionally to induce abortion and should not be used at any time during pregnancy.
Amber, the newly pregnant woman, is still taking the supplement. There is no question that in her case, the supplement should not be taken.
How the FDA Regulates Nutritional Supplements
In 1994 Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). An article by Stephen Barrett MD, “How the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 Weakened the FDA,” (2007), explains in depth how “Amber” and her hypothetical pregnancy were not protected.
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DSHEA defined dietary supplements not as drugs, but as a separate category. DSHEA also expanded supplements to include herbal supplements. The only regulatory protection for consumers were (1) that product labels could not state that their purpose was prevention or treatment of disease, and (2) the name of the product could not include the word “cure.” Written articles about supplements, which are the primary source of purchases, were not prohibited from making any sort of claim about the supplement.
According to Barrett, this meager protection was thwarted. In 2000 the FDA loosened regulations, allowing labels of supplements to state “support or health maintenance,” such as “supports heart health” or “maintains muscle strength.”
Ingredients of Nutritional Supplements - a Mystery
Herbs are often touted to be natural sources of components of pharmaceutical products. However, pharmaceutical products are the result of years of testing and refining raw substances from their natural state, purifying them from harmful side effects.
In the case of natural supplements, Barrett explains that the FDA is limited to “after the fact” protection of consumers. Numerous cases of cancer of the urethra occurred in Belgium in 2000. According to Barrett, the active ingredient in an herbal supplement, “ aristolochia” was the culprit, and had been banned in several countries. Not until December 2007, in response to the side effects of ephedra, did the FDA require manufacturers of natural supplements to report deaths, serious side effects and birth defects.
Manufacturers of Nutritional Supplements are Concerned
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) established requirements for “good manufacturing processes” (GMP’s) for supplements in 2008. In spite of this, the Nutrition Business Journal published an article, “Ingredient Adulteration Still a Problem Despite GMPs” (Oct 1, 2009). The article claimed that adulterated ingredients and supplements laced with drugs were more rampant than ever. Wrong ingredients included pesticides and lead.
Supplement manufacturers lament the lack of standardization of ingredients that would help the development of proper dosages and product descriptions. In order to protect consumers, private, not-for-profit organizations such as the Natural Products Association and NSF International have been established to police nutritional supplements by investigating ingredients and researching benefits and side effects.
How Can We Choose Appropriate Supplements?
The Mayo Clinic article cited above asked the question “What to know before you buy.” The answer was to consult a doctor, pharmacist, the manufacturer or do extensive research before taking a supplement. Can a layperson interpret the results of scientific studies, even if they are available? The average person will read an article written on a level that they can understand, like the example of Amber and Mary. Articles may have dubious information and may be written with the sole intent to sell the product.
Let the Buyer Beware
A person who takes a natural supplement is acting under the rule of cavet emptor, “let the buyer beware.” No one, except the manufacturer, knows what is in it. People can buy a Toshiba TV and if a Samsung arrives, they know it is the wrong item. When a person buys a supplement, they have no idea what is really in the pill. Unlike the TV, the product will affect the body and long-term health. Before taking a supplement, individuals should seek trusted sources with expertise in nutrition and the supplement industry.
Sources:
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine(NCCAM )
Natural Products Association
NSF International
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
SBBOT
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Thermogenics Turn Up the Heat in weight Loss
Managing weight is a fact of life for most adults; the scale goes up and down, and we promise we’ll cut back on those desserts or get back to the gym. At this point, the United States is facing an epidemic of overweight and obesity, with more than two-thirds of Americans weighing more than is considered optimal for their height.
Interestingly, while the federal government has increasingly touted exercise as one of the critical steps in losing and managing weight—even adding it to the federal dietary guidelines—a cover article in Time magazine at the height of the 2009 summer swimsuit season questioned the conventional wisdom. The theory put forth in “Why Exercise Won’t Make You Thin” is exercise stimulates appetite instead of suppressing it and feeds into the mental idea of “earning” extra calorie intake. And while the author noted muscle does burn more calories than fat, he added the difference in calorie burning is negligible.
One reason for the inefficiency in fat burning? Humans generally lack great quantities of “brown fat,” which is better at turning nutrients into energy. Researchers at Boston’s Joslin Diabetes Center recently published an analysis of amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and its influence on thermogenesis, mediated by the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), in almost 1,800 adults.1 They found women generally had a greater mass of functionally active BAT, and reported an inverse correlation between BAT levels and body mass index (BMI).
The question may be how to stimulate BAT activity and thermogenesis in adults. Fortunately, studies are increasingly pointing to the ability of many nutritional ingredients, from macronutrients to botanicals, to upregulate the body’s process of thermogenesis—increasing the metabolic rate to burn energy.
Every individual has a basal metabolic rate (BMR) linked to the amount of energy needed to maintain basic life functions; this generally slows as the body ages and muscle mass and activity level decline. Metabolic energy needs are also influenced by physical activity (basic and more strenuous activity, such as exercise) and digestion. In fact, the metabolic rate increases immediately after eating, as the body works to transport, metabolize and absorb nutrients.
Protein has been shown to significantly increase diet-induced thermogenesis. A review out of Maastricht University, Netherlands, noted sustaining protein intake can affect metabolic targets during weight loss, particularly during calorie restriction, helping to sustain energy expenditure and spare lean body mass.2 Additionally, moderately elevated protein intake while reducing overall calories appears to increase thermogenesis, influencing satiety, while maintaining lean muscle mass, further improving the metabolic profile.3 In one recent study, researchers out of Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, reported women (n=38) consuming a high-protein, energy-deficit diet had greater satiety and fat oxidation compared to a normal protein diet.4
Some studies suggest dairy protein in particular may exert positive effects on thermogenesis and accelerated fat loss, supported by higher calcium levels inhibiting lipogenesis and bioavailable protein affecting satiety and lipolysis.5 In one double blind, randomized study at the Minnesota Applied Research Center, subjects (n=106) reduced their caloric intake by 500 calories per day and consumed a specialized whey fraction (as Prolibra™, from Glanbia) or an isocaloric ready-to-mix beverage 20 minutes before breakfast and dinner.6 The Prolibra group lost significantly more body fat compared to control subject, with a greater preservation of lean muscle.
It may be the amino acids found in protein exert a particular effect on the body’s thermogenic pathways. Italian researchers reported providing an amino acid-infused solution to adults increased protein synthesis and energy expenditure, with the thermic effect not dependent on the dosage of amino acids.7 L-leucine specifically may stimulate protein synthesis in muscle cells and promote retention of lean muscle mass during calorie reduction.8 It also appears to regulate the oxidative use of glucose by skeletal muscle, sparing protein during energy restriction.9
The amino acid L-carnitine may also exhibit some thermogenic properties. A recent French study found providing aged rats with 30 mg/kg body weight of L-carnitine (as L-Carnipure™, from Lonza) for 12 weeks restored L-carnitine levels in muscle cells and induced positive changes in body composition including a decrease in abdominal fat mass without any change in food intake.10 A previous human trial examined the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on fat oxidation, body composition and weight development in 12 slightly overweight adults.
By Heather Granato
Interestingly, while the federal government has increasingly touted exercise as one of the critical steps in losing and managing weight—even adding it to the federal dietary guidelines—a cover article in Time magazine at the height of the 2009 summer swimsuit season questioned the conventional wisdom. The theory put forth in “Why Exercise Won’t Make You Thin” is exercise stimulates appetite instead of suppressing it and feeds into the mental idea of “earning” extra calorie intake. And while the author noted muscle does burn more calories than fat, he added the difference in calorie burning is negligible.
One reason for the inefficiency in fat burning? Humans generally lack great quantities of “brown fat,” which is better at turning nutrients into energy. Researchers at Boston’s Joslin Diabetes Center recently published an analysis of amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and its influence on thermogenesis, mediated by the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), in almost 1,800 adults.1 They found women generally had a greater mass of functionally active BAT, and reported an inverse correlation between BAT levels and body mass index (BMI).
The question may be how to stimulate BAT activity and thermogenesis in adults. Fortunately, studies are increasingly pointing to the ability of many nutritional ingredients, from macronutrients to botanicals, to upregulate the body’s process of thermogenesis—increasing the metabolic rate to burn energy.
Every individual has a basal metabolic rate (BMR) linked to the amount of energy needed to maintain basic life functions; this generally slows as the body ages and muscle mass and activity level decline. Metabolic energy needs are also influenced by physical activity (basic and more strenuous activity, such as exercise) and digestion. In fact, the metabolic rate increases immediately after eating, as the body works to transport, metabolize and absorb nutrients.
Protein has been shown to significantly increase diet-induced thermogenesis. A review out of Maastricht University, Netherlands, noted sustaining protein intake can affect metabolic targets during weight loss, particularly during calorie restriction, helping to sustain energy expenditure and spare lean body mass.2 Additionally, moderately elevated protein intake while reducing overall calories appears to increase thermogenesis, influencing satiety, while maintaining lean muscle mass, further improving the metabolic profile.3 In one recent study, researchers out of Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, reported women (n=38) consuming a high-protein, energy-deficit diet had greater satiety and fat oxidation compared to a normal protein diet.4
Some studies suggest dairy protein in particular may exert positive effects on thermogenesis and accelerated fat loss, supported by higher calcium levels inhibiting lipogenesis and bioavailable protein affecting satiety and lipolysis.5 In one double blind, randomized study at the Minnesota Applied Research Center, subjects (n=106) reduced their caloric intake by 500 calories per day and consumed a specialized whey fraction (as Prolibra™, from Glanbia) or an isocaloric ready-to-mix beverage 20 minutes before breakfast and dinner.6 The Prolibra group lost significantly more body fat compared to control subject, with a greater preservation of lean muscle.
It may be the amino acids found in protein exert a particular effect on the body’s thermogenic pathways. Italian researchers reported providing an amino acid-infused solution to adults increased protein synthesis and energy expenditure, with the thermic effect not dependent on the dosage of amino acids.7 L-leucine specifically may stimulate protein synthesis in muscle cells and promote retention of lean muscle mass during calorie reduction.8 It also appears to regulate the oxidative use of glucose by skeletal muscle, sparing protein during energy restriction.9
The amino acid L-carnitine may also exhibit some thermogenic properties. A recent French study found providing aged rats with 30 mg/kg body weight of L-carnitine (as L-Carnipure™, from Lonza) for 12 weeks restored L-carnitine levels in muscle cells and induced positive changes in body composition including a decrease in abdominal fat mass without any change in food intake.10 A previous human trial examined the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on fat oxidation, body composition and weight development in 12 slightly overweight adults.
By Heather Granato
When Is Candy Not Candy?
The answer to that question has been answered by politicians in Cook County, Illinois. Starting today, September 1, 2009, any item in Illinois classified as candy will have an increase in sales tax to a whopping 10.25%, up from the 2.25% charged just yesterday.
But, wait a minute! If the item that sure looks and tastes like candy is manufactured using flour as an ingredient, it will continue to be taxed as "food" at only 2.25%. Does that make any sense? A Butterfinger candy bar will see a huge tax increase, while a Butterfinger Stixx (which contains flour) will see no tax increase and remain at the 2.25% tax level. What seems to have happened is, after deciding it was a great idea to increase taxes on candy to raise more revenues to help close an enourmous budget gap, they got stuck when it came time to define the word "candy". Their brilliant solution was to pick one ingredient as the determining factor..."does an item contain flour?"
Not only is this a totally artificial differentiation, think of the problems this will pose for merchants. The "big" chains will not have too big a problem as their computerized system can be programmed to separate the items and apply the correct tax, but the smaller merchants will be living a checkout nightmare as they try to correctly apply the new tax. Will they be forced to look at the ingredients list to see if a particular item contains flour? Once again, the small business person will suffer due to the shortsightedness of the political class.
On top of that, will we see manufacturers changing their formulas to add a smidgen of flour to avoid the tax increase and gain a competitive advantage?
I think I'm going to go out this afternoon and stock up on my favorite Snickers bars. I don't suppose I will find "flour" listed on the ingredients list….. at least for now.
But, wait a minute! If the item that sure looks and tastes like candy is manufactured using flour as an ingredient, it will continue to be taxed as "food" at only 2.25%. Does that make any sense? A Butterfinger candy bar will see a huge tax increase, while a Butterfinger Stixx (which contains flour) will see no tax increase and remain at the 2.25% tax level. What seems to have happened is, after deciding it was a great idea to increase taxes on candy to raise more revenues to help close an enourmous budget gap, they got stuck when it came time to define the word "candy". Their brilliant solution was to pick one ingredient as the determining factor..."does an item contain flour?"
Not only is this a totally artificial differentiation, think of the problems this will pose for merchants. The "big" chains will not have too big a problem as their computerized system can be programmed to separate the items and apply the correct tax, but the smaller merchants will be living a checkout nightmare as they try to correctly apply the new tax. Will they be forced to look at the ingredients list to see if a particular item contains flour? Once again, the small business person will suffer due to the shortsightedness of the political class.
On top of that, will we see manufacturers changing their formulas to add a smidgen of flour to avoid the tax increase and gain a competitive advantage?
I think I'm going to go out this afternoon and stock up on my favorite Snickers bars. I don't suppose I will find "flour" listed on the ingredients list….. at least for now.
Can I Have a Side of Calorie With That?
New federal legislation in a draft of the health-care reform bill (Section 325 of H.R. 3200) is poised to require restaurant chains with 20 or more loctions to display nutrition information, calorie counts and “suggested daily caloric intake” on their menus. As with most legislation, supporters and detractors are choosing sides and priming the ammunition.
The laissez-faire crowd is howling the usual outrage about excessive government control. (Apparently it will infringe on our rights to develop morbid obesity if we have an idea what we’re eating.) Those that have larger chains are pointing out that the majority of American restaurants have less than 20 units and will be flying under the radar―a valid argument, regardless of the motive. And obviously anyone concerned about obesity’s impact on public health is cheering the bill on.
From my perspective, the legislation doesn’t seem that onerous. While the “have it your way” operation of foodservice does throw an added level of difficulty to delivering meaningful numbers, it’s certainly better than relying on the public’s sketchy-at-best knowledge of calories and nutrition. The packaged food segment has been doing it for years. There’s lots of software out there that can supply pretty accurate results. Practically speaking, one of the best provisions from the bill would benefit the large chains by overruling the current and growing patchwork of state and local menu-labeling requirements for restaurants with 20 or more stores. And while I know in my heart an order of large fries is not a good idea, seeing that they are ¼ of my required daily caloric intake might be the incentive I need to order a plain salad instead.
–Lynn A. Kuntz
The laissez-faire crowd is howling the usual outrage about excessive government control. (Apparently it will infringe on our rights to develop morbid obesity if we have an idea what we’re eating.) Those that have larger chains are pointing out that the majority of American restaurants have less than 20 units and will be flying under the radar―a valid argument, regardless of the motive. And obviously anyone concerned about obesity’s impact on public health is cheering the bill on.
From my perspective, the legislation doesn’t seem that onerous. While the “have it your way” operation of foodservice does throw an added level of difficulty to delivering meaningful numbers, it’s certainly better than relying on the public’s sketchy-at-best knowledge of calories and nutrition. The packaged food segment has been doing it for years. There’s lots of software out there that can supply pretty accurate results. Practically speaking, one of the best provisions from the bill would benefit the large chains by overruling the current and growing patchwork of state and local menu-labeling requirements for restaurants with 20 or more stores. And while I know in my heart an order of large fries is not a good idea, seeing that they are ¼ of my required daily caloric intake might be the incentive I need to order a plain salad instead.
–Lynn A. Kuntz
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Doctors offer alternative, naturally
By Hattie Klotz,
Naturopathic doctors are particularly strong in the areas of prevention and integrative medicine.
Photograph by: Getty Images, The Ottawa CitizenAccording to a survey conducted for Health Canada's Office of Natural Health Products in 2005, Canadians are surprisingly highly aware of natural health alternatives.
The survey says more than 71 per cent now consume natural health products -- traditional herbal products, vitamins and mineral supplements, traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and homeopathic preparations.
Ottawa naturopathic doctor David Lescheid has seen this awareness in his own practice. As the doctor shortage becomes critical and wait times to even get an appointment to see the family physician seem to stretch forever, frustrated patients are turning to alternative therapies for basic medical needs, he says.
"We're seeing increasing numbers of people who come to us for their primary care needs," he says.
Dr. Lescheid and his partner Dr. Kristy Lewis chose to move to Ottawa from Toronto to set up their naturopathic practice because they recognize the growing pressure on the conventional medical system and know they offer complimentary care.
"Everybody recognizes the system is not working as it is and we believe that we should be working with people's strengths," says Dr. Lewis.
"Naturopathic doctors are particularly strong in the areas of prevention and integrative medicine. We like to work with other practitioners, and when we need to, we refer patients to other professionals."
Currently, Dr. Lescheid and Dr. Lewis have an informal arrangement with Dr. Jean-Pierre Morrissey who has an office on the floor above Pure Med Naturopathic Centre at 292 Montreal Road in Vanier. They refer patients to one another.
"People recognize it is important to optimize their health to prevent illness in the future and we're seeing more and more of that," says Dr. Lewis. "Our aim is to create a patient-centred facility with a variety of services and one that is recognized as an integrative clinic giving the best care available in partnership with other practitioners."
Since Pure Med is a private clinic, patients must pay for everything from intravenous and inhalation therapy to nutrition, homoeopathy, acupuncture, massage and an infrared sauna. However, health plans are beginning to recognize alternative treatments.
That's one of the reasons Dr. Lescheid and Dr Lewis moved to Ottawa and set up shop in Vanier.
"Typically, people who visit a naturopathic doctor are more highly educated, a significant number are white-collar workers and they have health insurance that covers this," says Dr. Lescheid.
Ottawa, with its high percentage of government employees, is fertile ground, and the couple chose Vanier because it's an area of the city that is not yet well served by alternative health practitioners.
Dr. Lescheid has a Phd in molecular biology and protein chemistry from the University of Victoria and is a former professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
"I bring science to the art of naturopathic medicine and, to be honest, it's the naturopathic approach to the body and medicine, the way it looks at the body as a whole, from the mental, emotional, spiritual as well as physical levels that appeals to me.
"I've had a lot of experience with the conventional medical model but I'm more of a big picture person."
Dr. Lescheid is a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors and sits on the advisory panel for the National Health Products Directorate.
He says an important change is coming in Ontario. Naturopathic doctors will become regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act.
"We'll fall under the same umbrella as doctors," he says. "This will mean a higher level of regulatory control, which will increase credibility for the industry."
Naturopathic doctors are particularly strong in the areas of prevention and integrative medicine.
Photograph by: Getty Images, The Ottawa CitizenAccording to a survey conducted for Health Canada's Office of Natural Health Products in 2005, Canadians are surprisingly highly aware of natural health alternatives.
The survey says more than 71 per cent now consume natural health products -- traditional herbal products, vitamins and mineral supplements, traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and homeopathic preparations.
Ottawa naturopathic doctor David Lescheid has seen this awareness in his own practice. As the doctor shortage becomes critical and wait times to even get an appointment to see the family physician seem to stretch forever, frustrated patients are turning to alternative therapies for basic medical needs, he says.
"We're seeing increasing numbers of people who come to us for their primary care needs," he says.
Dr. Lescheid and his partner Dr. Kristy Lewis chose to move to Ottawa from Toronto to set up their naturopathic practice because they recognize the growing pressure on the conventional medical system and know they offer complimentary care.
"Everybody recognizes the system is not working as it is and we believe that we should be working with people's strengths," says Dr. Lewis.
"Naturopathic doctors are particularly strong in the areas of prevention and integrative medicine. We like to work with other practitioners, and when we need to, we refer patients to other professionals."
Currently, Dr. Lescheid and Dr. Lewis have an informal arrangement with Dr. Jean-Pierre Morrissey who has an office on the floor above Pure Med Naturopathic Centre at 292 Montreal Road in Vanier. They refer patients to one another.
"People recognize it is important to optimize their health to prevent illness in the future and we're seeing more and more of that," says Dr. Lewis. "Our aim is to create a patient-centred facility with a variety of services and one that is recognized as an integrative clinic giving the best care available in partnership with other practitioners."
Since Pure Med is a private clinic, patients must pay for everything from intravenous and inhalation therapy to nutrition, homoeopathy, acupuncture, massage and an infrared sauna. However, health plans are beginning to recognize alternative treatments.
That's one of the reasons Dr. Lescheid and Dr Lewis moved to Ottawa and set up shop in Vanier.
"Typically, people who visit a naturopathic doctor are more highly educated, a significant number are white-collar workers and they have health insurance that covers this," says Dr. Lescheid.
Ottawa, with its high percentage of government employees, is fertile ground, and the couple chose Vanier because it's an area of the city that is not yet well served by alternative health practitioners.
Dr. Lescheid has a Phd in molecular biology and protein chemistry from the University of Victoria and is a former professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
"I bring science to the art of naturopathic medicine and, to be honest, it's the naturopathic approach to the body and medicine, the way it looks at the body as a whole, from the mental, emotional, spiritual as well as physical levels that appeals to me.
"I've had a lot of experience with the conventional medical model but I'm more of a big picture person."
Dr. Lescheid is a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors and sits on the advisory panel for the National Health Products Directorate.
He says an important change is coming in Ontario. Naturopathic doctors will become regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act.
"We'll fall under the same umbrella as doctors," he says. "This will mean a higher level of regulatory control, which will increase credibility for the industry."
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Uncovered Certified Organic Pumpkin Oil
This pumpkin seed oil is excellent for use in salads. It is made with a special variety of pumpkin oil that is only found in certain parts of the world. It also contains omega oils:
43% polyunsaturated Linoleic acid (omega 6), 36% monounsaturated Oleic acid (omega 9), 14% polyunsaturated Alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3), 8% saturated fatty acids.
43% polyunsaturated Linoleic acid (omega 6), 36% monounsaturated Oleic acid (omega 9), 14% polyunsaturated Alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3), 8% saturated fatty acids.
Revealed:CLA-Conjugate Linoleic Acid
CLA is an excellent adjuct for weight loss efforts. It is derived from wholesome safflower and sunflower oil. CLA inhibits fat storage by enhancing the ability of cell membranes (other than fat cells) to open up and allow the absorption of fats and other nutrients. It also promotes the growth of muscles by letting nutrients into active muscle cells.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
What Are Good Herbs in The Treatment of Acne
by Jefferso
There are plenty of different things that people do in an attempt to get rid of acne. Some of these are pharmaceutical but they tend to carry some side effects that most of us do not want to have to deal with. It is always a better idea to try and cure something naturally so that you don’t mess anything else up in the process. To be certain, there are several different herbs that can be taken which will help to clear up your skin if not get rid of your acne altogether.
These herbs have been used for many years for a variety of different reasons. As a matter of fact, some of them have been used in Asia for well over 5000 years, both to help clear up skin and to take care of other health issues. If you are having a problem with acne or with problem skin, here are three different herbs that you can take which will help to get your body back into balance and to clear up your skin naturally.
Basil - The Herb has been used for a variety of different reasons but most importantly, it kills bacteria which may be at the root of your acne problems. Not only that, it helps to clean the blood that may carry this bacteria and keep it within your body. Basil tea has been taken for many years in order to solve problems like this. Even the soil where the basil grows become so pure that it is renowned for its healing mud baths.
Sandalwood - This herb comes from the bark of the Sandalwood tree and many people consider it to be great aromatherapy. By spreading this substance onto your skin, you are going to help to heal it and to give it a healthy glow that will last for quite some time.
Lavender - Along with being a great smelling herb, it also helps to reduce inflammation and has some antiseptic properties which can go a long way in helping you with your acne. If you love the smell of lavender, you should try using this on your problem skin as well.
Tea Tree Oil - This is probably one of the better-known herbs that works for acne and it does an excellent job because of its antibacterial properties along with the fact that it is antiseptic in nature. Make sure you dilute this oil before applying it directly to your skin.
There are plenty of different things that people do in an attempt to get rid of acne. Some of these are pharmaceutical but they tend to carry some side effects that most of us do not want to have to deal with. It is always a better idea to try and cure something naturally so that you don’t mess anything else up in the process. To be certain, there are several different herbs that can be taken which will help to clear up your skin if not get rid of your acne altogether.
These herbs have been used for many years for a variety of different reasons. As a matter of fact, some of them have been used in Asia for well over 5000 years, both to help clear up skin and to take care of other health issues. If you are having a problem with acne or with problem skin, here are three different herbs that you can take which will help to get your body back into balance and to clear up your skin naturally.
Basil - The Herb has been used for a variety of different reasons but most importantly, it kills bacteria which may be at the root of your acne problems. Not only that, it helps to clean the blood that may carry this bacteria and keep it within your body. Basil tea has been taken for many years in order to solve problems like this. Even the soil where the basil grows become so pure that it is renowned for its healing mud baths.
Sandalwood - This herb comes from the bark of the Sandalwood tree and many people consider it to be great aromatherapy. By spreading this substance onto your skin, you are going to help to heal it and to give it a healthy glow that will last for quite some time.
Lavender - Along with being a great smelling herb, it also helps to reduce inflammation and has some antiseptic properties which can go a long way in helping you with your acne. If you love the smell of lavender, you should try using this on your problem skin as well.
Tea Tree Oil - This is probably one of the better-known herbs that works for acne and it does an excellent job because of its antibacterial properties along with the fact that it is antiseptic in nature. Make sure you dilute this oil before applying it directly to your skin.
How to Use Alternative Medicine For Pets
In the same way that human being may decide to pass on western medicine in favor of natural therapies, pet owners sometimes opt for natural treatments for their companions’ ailments. When our pets become sick, or receive some type of injury, we must undertake whatever measures are necessary to support the healing process. However, a diet aimed at preventing sickness and promoting a long healthy life should also be part of caring for any pet.
1/ Diet
There are a number of animals which make good pets, with vast dietary differences among them. Before committing to getting any type of pet, you should get all the necessary information related to their care, especially when it comes to feeding them. Many people would be surprised to know that dogs for example require many of the same nutrients that humans do. Aside from feeding them a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates, it is also necessary to give them vitamins which can be purchased at any pet store.
Few pet owners know that most dogs are lactose intolerant. So if you are feeding your dog milk and it develops any sort of stomach upset, you should stop immediately and see if the problems go away. Pets such as iguanas and ferrets also have strict feeding recommendations which should be adhered to.
2/Herbal Supplements
It should come as no surprise that the advances in herbal medicine have found their way into veterinary treatments as well. Below is a list of herbs that have been shown to have beneficial effects on pets.
Aloe Vera - This help to relieve itching and is great for speeding up the healing of cuts as well as guarding against infection.
Ginseng - It works best for older animals, and is good for increasing energy. It is also useful for the boosting the metabolism of dogs. It must be noted that there are different types of ginseng, therefore you should seek advice before administering it to your pet.
Milk Thistle - This is useful for protecting an animal’s liver, especially in cases where it has been weakened by disease.
Ginko - Its effects in animals are very similar to the effects in humans. It helps to increase the flow of blood to the brain, and so assists in boosting cognitive function, which is especially helpful for older pets.
Echinacea - This has been proven to strengthen the immune system. Therefore it can not only protect your pet from infection, but it also help ward off diseases.
Ginger - Though not considered a herb, ginger is a widely acknowledged digestive aid and can help pets that have motion sickness. It is also good for any sort of digestive problems the animal may have.
Glucosamine and Chondroitan - While these fall into the nutraceutical category, they are highly recommended for pets to keep their joints healthy well into their later years.
Keep in mind that it is not wise to administer herbs to your pets without the requisite research, or at least a talk with your vet or natural health practitioner. To maintain the natural care for your pet you can also search online for natural remedies for dealing with pests such as fleas and tic
1/ Diet
There are a number of animals which make good pets, with vast dietary differences among them. Before committing to getting any type of pet, you should get all the necessary information related to their care, especially when it comes to feeding them. Many people would be surprised to know that dogs for example require many of the same nutrients that humans do. Aside from feeding them a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates, it is also necessary to give them vitamins which can be purchased at any pet store.
Few pet owners know that most dogs are lactose intolerant. So if you are feeding your dog milk and it develops any sort of stomach upset, you should stop immediately and see if the problems go away. Pets such as iguanas and ferrets also have strict feeding recommendations which should be adhered to.
2/Herbal Supplements
It should come as no surprise that the advances in herbal medicine have found their way into veterinary treatments as well. Below is a list of herbs that have been shown to have beneficial effects on pets.
Aloe Vera - This help to relieve itching and is great for speeding up the healing of cuts as well as guarding against infection.
Ginseng - It works best for older animals, and is good for increasing energy. It is also useful for the boosting the metabolism of dogs. It must be noted that there are different types of ginseng, therefore you should seek advice before administering it to your pet.
Milk Thistle - This is useful for protecting an animal’s liver, especially in cases where it has been weakened by disease.
Ginko - Its effects in animals are very similar to the effects in humans. It helps to increase the flow of blood to the brain, and so assists in boosting cognitive function, which is especially helpful for older pets.
Echinacea - This has been proven to strengthen the immune system. Therefore it can not only protect your pet from infection, but it also help ward off diseases.
Ginger - Though not considered a herb, ginger is a widely acknowledged digestive aid and can help pets that have motion sickness. It is also good for any sort of digestive problems the animal may have.
Glucosamine and Chondroitan - While these fall into the nutraceutical category, they are highly recommended for pets to keep their joints healthy well into their later years.
Keep in mind that it is not wise to administer herbs to your pets without the requisite research, or at least a talk with your vet or natural health practitioner. To maintain the natural care for your pet you can also search online for natural remedies for dealing with pests such as fleas and tic
How Much is a Smile Worth?
Steve Mye
How much is a smile worth? A good set of pearly whites not only shines happiness, but can also signal good health. One’s level of oral care is reflective of how well the rest of the body is cared for and has been linked to the risk of degenerative diseases. The state of the mouth can also reveal nutritional behavior, good or bad. As natural products have made their mark in the American diet, so, too, have they made their way into the oral care market, offering an effective alternative to conventional oral products that often contain harsh ingredients.
Good teeth and gums mean more than just a great smile and avoiding the dentist's drill. Periodontal health has been linked to many systemic diseases, although the links are mostly epidemiological. The American Dental Association (ADA) noted periodontis may be connected in some way to cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, bacterial pneumonia and pre-term/low birth-weight babies.
Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., RN, author of “The Natural Medicine Chest” and herbalist/nutritionist for Nature's Answer, noted the recent surgeon general's report noted poor periodontal health affects three out of four Americans. "Recent university studies correlate this silent epidemic with many major illnesses because the microorganisms that cause periodontal disease easily migrate into the heart muscle and other body tissues," she added.
"As many as 75 percent of adults in the United States have been affected by periodontal disease, and an estimated 80.7 million adults (one out of every three) have been a victim of CVD in 2006, according to the American Heart Association (AHA)," said Kristine Schreiber, director of brand marketing, Natural Dentist Inc.
The connection between oral health and systemic disease may well be in the saliva's ability to provide markers of various health problems, from dental caries and periodontal disease to osteoporosis, infectious diseases and cancer.
Fighting Tooth Decay, Strengthening Gums
The first thing most people think of when it comes to dental care is preventing or limiting tooth decay. Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth enamel by sugars and starches from eating foods such as milk, soda, fruits and sweets. Left behind on the teeth, these carbohydrates attract bacteria that produce acid harmful to tooth enamel. Left unhindered, this acid can promote tooth decay.
One of the most alarming statistics for tooth decay involves young children. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis of the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) trial revealed tooth decay is increasing among young children, even as oral care improves. The number of children with tooth decay rose from 18 percent between 1988 and 1994, to 24 percent between 1999 and 2004, CDC reported.
How much is a smile worth? A good set of pearly whites not only shines happiness, but can also signal good health. One’s level of oral care is reflective of how well the rest of the body is cared for and has been linked to the risk of degenerative diseases. The state of the mouth can also reveal nutritional behavior, good or bad. As natural products have made their mark in the American diet, so, too, have they made their way into the oral care market, offering an effective alternative to conventional oral products that often contain harsh ingredients.
Good teeth and gums mean more than just a great smile and avoiding the dentist's drill. Periodontal health has been linked to many systemic diseases, although the links are mostly epidemiological. The American Dental Association (ADA) noted periodontis may be connected in some way to cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, bacterial pneumonia and pre-term/low birth-weight babies.
Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., RN, author of “The Natural Medicine Chest” and herbalist/nutritionist for Nature's Answer, noted the recent surgeon general's report noted poor periodontal health affects three out of four Americans. "Recent university studies correlate this silent epidemic with many major illnesses because the microorganisms that cause periodontal disease easily migrate into the heart muscle and other body tissues," she added.
"As many as 75 percent of adults in the United States have been affected by periodontal disease, and an estimated 80.7 million adults (one out of every three) have been a victim of CVD in 2006, according to the American Heart Association (AHA)," said Kristine Schreiber, director of brand marketing, Natural Dentist Inc.
The connection between oral health and systemic disease may well be in the saliva's ability to provide markers of various health problems, from dental caries and periodontal disease to osteoporosis, infectious diseases and cancer.
Fighting Tooth Decay, Strengthening Gums
The first thing most people think of when it comes to dental care is preventing or limiting tooth decay. Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth enamel by sugars and starches from eating foods such as milk, soda, fruits and sweets. Left behind on the teeth, these carbohydrates attract bacteria that produce acid harmful to tooth enamel. Left unhindered, this acid can promote tooth decay.
One of the most alarming statistics for tooth decay involves young children. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis of the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) trial revealed tooth decay is increasing among young children, even as oral care improves. The number of children with tooth decay rose from 18 percent between 1988 and 1994, to 24 percent between 1999 and 2004, CDC reported.
What To Expect-Acai Fire Burns Up Fat
by Daniel Fuller
Getting thin and building muscles is something that most men aspire to. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves, and having a healthy, good looking body is part of that. When it comes to what products you can use to help you with this, one of the best ones is called Acai Fire. You should look into this for fat burning and maximum muscle building.
The way this product works is different to other products. This is because it is more like a nutritional supplement rather than a fat burning one, but it still gives you the best weight loss and muscle building results. It also gives you more energy and can help with various ailments. Why? Well, there is one very special ingredient in the Acai Fire called the Acai Berry.
The Acai Berry is called a super food and there are many different health benefits of taking this, whether it is in food or powder form. You can rest assured that this supplement will make you feel better and look better in no time.
One of the reasons for this is because the Acai berry extract used in the Acai Fire for men has more anti oxidants that pomegranates have. This means that you can use this as an anti aging supplement as well as a weight loss and toning supplement.
The Acai Berry can also help treat many diseases and treat various ailments. This includes heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, immune system disorders, and even cancer cells have been shown to disappear with using the Acai berry. If you are sick or suspect that you have a disease or medical condition, you should seek the care of a licensed medical professional. While it has some amazing properties, Acai Fire is not medicine and should not be used as medicine.
Acai Fire is a top supplement and recommended for all kinds of athletes and body builders. This is because of the combination of the ingredients including the Acai berry. It is helpful at speeding up the metabolism naturally and effectively to get the most out of your workouts.
It also keeps you healthy, and is far safer to use than the alternative hydroxycut. You can get thin, get fitter, get stronger, and also be healthier than even before.
The Acai berry, as mentioned before, is a small berry the size of a grape and is a dark purple color. It tastes a bit like a chocolate blueberry and is found in the Brazilian Rainforests. It has only recently been discovered by the Western world and brought here to be used as a super food. You can get the actual berries, but there are hard to come by and very expensive. This is why companies are manufacturing other products using extracts if Acai berry like the Acai Fire. Other products made from Acai Berry include health juices and smoothies, which many Hollywood celebrities swear by.
Using the Acai Fire is definitely one of the best things you can use when you want to train effectively. It gives you all the correct ingredients to make sure you build muscles properly and safely as well as lose fat easily.
Getting thin and building muscles is something that most men aspire to. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves, and having a healthy, good looking body is part of that. When it comes to what products you can use to help you with this, one of the best ones is called Acai Fire. You should look into this for fat burning and maximum muscle building.
The way this product works is different to other products. This is because it is more like a nutritional supplement rather than a fat burning one, but it still gives you the best weight loss and muscle building results. It also gives you more energy and can help with various ailments. Why? Well, there is one very special ingredient in the Acai Fire called the Acai Berry.
The Acai Berry is called a super food and there are many different health benefits of taking this, whether it is in food or powder form. You can rest assured that this supplement will make you feel better and look better in no time.
One of the reasons for this is because the Acai berry extract used in the Acai Fire for men has more anti oxidants that pomegranates have. This means that you can use this as an anti aging supplement as well as a weight loss and toning supplement.
The Acai Berry can also help treat many diseases and treat various ailments. This includes heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, immune system disorders, and even cancer cells have been shown to disappear with using the Acai berry. If you are sick or suspect that you have a disease or medical condition, you should seek the care of a licensed medical professional. While it has some amazing properties, Acai Fire is not medicine and should not be used as medicine.
Acai Fire is a top supplement and recommended for all kinds of athletes and body builders. This is because of the combination of the ingredients including the Acai berry. It is helpful at speeding up the metabolism naturally and effectively to get the most out of your workouts.
It also keeps you healthy, and is far safer to use than the alternative hydroxycut. You can get thin, get fitter, get stronger, and also be healthier than even before.
The Acai berry, as mentioned before, is a small berry the size of a grape and is a dark purple color. It tastes a bit like a chocolate blueberry and is found in the Brazilian Rainforests. It has only recently been discovered by the Western world and brought here to be used as a super food. You can get the actual berries, but there are hard to come by and very expensive. This is why companies are manufacturing other products using extracts if Acai berry like the Acai Fire. Other products made from Acai Berry include health juices and smoothies, which many Hollywood celebrities swear by.
Using the Acai Fire is definitely one of the best things you can use when you want to train effectively. It gives you all the correct ingredients to make sure you build muscles properly and safely as well as lose fat easily.
Alternative Treatment Treatment For Juvenile Rheumatiod Besides Medication?
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (Still’s Disease)
Chronic, inflammatory, systemic disease which may cause joint or connective tissue damage & visceral lesions throughout the body characterized by fever, rash, hepato-spleenomegaly & arthritis in children.
It is a persistent inflammatory arthritis (> 6 weeks) that begins before age 16 for which no specific cause can be found.
Homeopathic Treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.
Please visit the following web-site and choose the medicines that are relevant to your symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are perfectly safe even while you are breast-feeding.http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/juvenile-…
Chronic, inflammatory, systemic disease which may cause joint or connective tissue damage & visceral lesions throughout the body characterized by fever, rash, hepato-spleenomegaly & arthritis in children.
It is a persistent inflammatory arthritis (> 6 weeks) that begins before age 16 for which no specific cause can be found.
Homeopathic Treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.
Please visit the following web-site and choose the medicines that are relevant to your symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are perfectly safe even while you are breast-feeding.http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/juvenile-…
Popular Dietary Supplement Alleged to Contain Steroids
by Greg WebbAugust 12
Federal authorities filed court papers last month alleging that two over-the-counter dietary supplements commonly used by high school football players contain steroids. Tren Extreme and Mass Extreme, manufactured by American Cellular Labs, are marketed as a potent legal alternative to steroids. However, search warrants were executed alleging that the supplements contain illegal designer steroids including Madol, a substance first identified six years ago during the investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative.
Authorities say that Max Muscle, a supplement store with approximately 100 locations across the country, paid American Cellular Labs to be the exclusive retailer of these products, which are also available online.
An individual at Max Muscle’s corporate office said that no one was available to comment on how many of the company’s stores carried American Cellular products. A Max Muscle outlet in Iowa was offering an online promotion of Tren Xtreme for free, but a salesman reported that the store no longer sold the brand.
Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, said that the substance helps athletes quickly gain strength and muscle mass and is popular amount high school football players because it works. He did not offer an estimate regarding how many high school athletes have used the product.
The investigation into American Cellular Labs is led by Jeff Novitzky of the FDA and prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California. Novitzky has been the face of the government’s investigation into the distribution of performance-enhancing drugs since 2002.
The FDA has jurisdiction over dietary supplements, which are defined as products that offer general health benefits but do not claim to treat specific conditions. Manufacturers of dietary supplements are responsible for recording and ensuring the accuracy of the claims that they make regarding the safety and efficacy of their products. The FDA is only empowered to act in cases when it identifies a harmful or adulterated product on the market. If authorities find that a supplement contains an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient like a steroid, the product is considered to be an illegal drug.
Steroids are naturally produced organic compounds that can be used legally to treat conditions like testosterone deficiency. Athletes have also used illegal forms of steroids for performance enhancement. Such usage is particularly concerning in preteen and teenage boys, because artificially high levels of testosterone can stop bone growth.
Investigators first became concerned about products made by American Cellular Labs after reports of severe liver and kidney problems in people who had used the two products. In one case, a liver transplant doctor reported that a 38-year-old male patient who had used the products had to be hospitalized with severe liver dysfunction and acute kidney failure which required dialysis.
While legal steroids entail risks, unknowingly taking supplements that contain illegal compounds is even riskier because the drugs come with unknown risks, according to Dr. Pieter Cohen of the Harvard Medical School. When prescribing similar drugs for men who have a deficiency, doctors closely monitor patients to avoid higher-than-normal hormone levels, but designer steroids have not been studied for safety. Cohen added that while there is no research showing that the new compounds are safe in humans, there is evidence that analogs of pharmaceutical compounds have let to life-threatening diseases that required transplantation in the past.
Federal authorities filed court papers last month alleging that two over-the-counter dietary supplements commonly used by high school football players contain steroids. Tren Extreme and Mass Extreme, manufactured by American Cellular Labs, are marketed as a potent legal alternative to steroids. However, search warrants were executed alleging that the supplements contain illegal designer steroids including Madol, a substance first identified six years ago during the investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative.
Authorities say that Max Muscle, a supplement store with approximately 100 locations across the country, paid American Cellular Labs to be the exclusive retailer of these products, which are also available online.
An individual at Max Muscle’s corporate office said that no one was available to comment on how many of the company’s stores carried American Cellular products. A Max Muscle outlet in Iowa was offering an online promotion of Tren Xtreme for free, but a salesman reported that the store no longer sold the brand.
Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, said that the substance helps athletes quickly gain strength and muscle mass and is popular amount high school football players because it works. He did not offer an estimate regarding how many high school athletes have used the product.
The investigation into American Cellular Labs is led by Jeff Novitzky of the FDA and prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California. Novitzky has been the face of the government’s investigation into the distribution of performance-enhancing drugs since 2002.
The FDA has jurisdiction over dietary supplements, which are defined as products that offer general health benefits but do not claim to treat specific conditions. Manufacturers of dietary supplements are responsible for recording and ensuring the accuracy of the claims that they make regarding the safety and efficacy of their products. The FDA is only empowered to act in cases when it identifies a harmful or adulterated product on the market. If authorities find that a supplement contains an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient like a steroid, the product is considered to be an illegal drug.
Steroids are naturally produced organic compounds that can be used legally to treat conditions like testosterone deficiency. Athletes have also used illegal forms of steroids for performance enhancement. Such usage is particularly concerning in preteen and teenage boys, because artificially high levels of testosterone can stop bone growth.
Investigators first became concerned about products made by American Cellular Labs after reports of severe liver and kidney problems in people who had used the two products. In one case, a liver transplant doctor reported that a 38-year-old male patient who had used the products had to be hospitalized with severe liver dysfunction and acute kidney failure which required dialysis.
While legal steroids entail risks, unknowingly taking supplements that contain illegal compounds is even riskier because the drugs come with unknown risks, according to Dr. Pieter Cohen of the Harvard Medical School. When prescribing similar drugs for men who have a deficiency, doctors closely monitor patients to avoid higher-than-normal hormone levels, but designer steroids have not been studied for safety. Cohen added that while there is no research showing that the new compounds are safe in humans, there is evidence that analogs of pharmaceutical compounds have let to life-threatening diseases that required transplantation in the past.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Acai Fire Is Workout Fuel
by Daniel Fuller
When you have to lose weight and you want to also start training your muscles to look bigger and ripped, you have to work hard. Men also have to take certain supplements to help with this weight loss and muscles building. When you want to do this fast and safely, you can easily use the brilliant product called Acai Fire to get the most of your training sessions.
The way this product works is different to other products. This is because it is more like a nutritional supplement rather than a fat burning one, but it still gives you the best weight loss and muscle building results. It also gives you more energy and can help with various ailments. Why? Well, there is one very special ingredient in the Acai Fire called the Acai Berry.
This is a small berry the size of a grape that has been used for many years for its medical, anti aging, and nutritional properties. You can now get this berry in powder form or the actual food form to help you with whatever you want. You can look and feel great easily.
The main reason that the Acai Berry is so good for you is the fact that it contains more anti oxidants than any other fruit or super food - even pomegranates. This means that it is perfect for anti aging and is even recommended by Hollywood celebrity nutritionists and doctors.
You can also use the Acai Berry for medicinal purposes. It has been studied for treating cancers and the various cancer cells causing leukemia were destroyed by this berry which is no larger than a grape. It also helps with heart disease, high blood pressure, immune diseases, and lots more. If you have a serious medical problem, be sure to be treated by a physician and follow their course of treatment. Acai Fire is not a medical treatment and shouldn’t be used as such.
Acai Fire uses this perfect berry as part of its excellent ingredients to give you the best metabolism boosting benefits. This combination of ingredients will give you the maximum weight loss you are after, as well as improving muscle tone quickly and easily with the correct training.
It also keeps you healthy, and is far safer to use than the alternative hydroxycut. You can get thin, get fitter, get stronger, and also be healthier than even before.
Looking at what the Acai Berry is, you will be told that it looks like a grape and is a dark purple shade. This berry is said to taste a bit like a mixture of blueberry and chocolate and it has grown in the Amazon in Brazil for many years on the Acai palm tree. Only recently did the Western world discover this and bring it back to be used as a super food. It is now used in all forms and Hollywood has really taken to using this. You can get juices made from it as well as special health smoothies.
If you want to get thinner and stay healthy as well as get more energy, then the Acai Fire is one of the top products you can use. It uses all the best ingredients for rapid weight loss and effective muscle building that is long lasting and safe. You will find that you feel so much better when using this, and you might even look younger too!
When you have to lose weight and you want to also start training your muscles to look bigger and ripped, you have to work hard. Men also have to take certain supplements to help with this weight loss and muscles building. When you want to do this fast and safely, you can easily use the brilliant product called Acai Fire to get the most of your training sessions.
The way this product works is different to other products. This is because it is more like a nutritional supplement rather than a fat burning one, but it still gives you the best weight loss and muscle building results. It also gives you more energy and can help with various ailments. Why? Well, there is one very special ingredient in the Acai Fire called the Acai Berry.
This is a small berry the size of a grape that has been used for many years for its medical, anti aging, and nutritional properties. You can now get this berry in powder form or the actual food form to help you with whatever you want. You can look and feel great easily.
The main reason that the Acai Berry is so good for you is the fact that it contains more anti oxidants than any other fruit or super food - even pomegranates. This means that it is perfect for anti aging and is even recommended by Hollywood celebrity nutritionists and doctors.
You can also use the Acai Berry for medicinal purposes. It has been studied for treating cancers and the various cancer cells causing leukemia were destroyed by this berry which is no larger than a grape. It also helps with heart disease, high blood pressure, immune diseases, and lots more. If you have a serious medical problem, be sure to be treated by a physician and follow their course of treatment. Acai Fire is not a medical treatment and shouldn’t be used as such.
Acai Fire uses this perfect berry as part of its excellent ingredients to give you the best metabolism boosting benefits. This combination of ingredients will give you the maximum weight loss you are after, as well as improving muscle tone quickly and easily with the correct training.
It also keeps you healthy, and is far safer to use than the alternative hydroxycut. You can get thin, get fitter, get stronger, and also be healthier than even before.
Looking at what the Acai Berry is, you will be told that it looks like a grape and is a dark purple shade. This berry is said to taste a bit like a mixture of blueberry and chocolate and it has grown in the Amazon in Brazil for many years on the Acai palm tree. Only recently did the Western world discover this and bring it back to be used as a super food. It is now used in all forms and Hollywood has really taken to using this. You can get juices made from it as well as special health smoothies.
If you want to get thinner and stay healthy as well as get more energy, then the Acai Fire is one of the top products you can use. It uses all the best ingredients for rapid weight loss and effective muscle building that is long lasting and safe. You will find that you feel so much better when using this, and you might even look younger too!
Cancer is Getting Harder to Beat and Avoid
by: Tony Isaacs, citizen journalist
(NaturalNews) In recent years, statistical cancer death rates have been showing decreases for some cancers in some parts of the world, which has led some people to optimistically report that cancer is getting easier to beat. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
As noted in "Hiding the Truth about Losing the War on Cancer" (http://www.naturalnews.com/023286_c...), statistics can be manipulated and often have been by those with vested interests in maintaining the illusion that we are turning the corner, or that a cure is just around that elusive corner, in the decades long and mostly failed war on cancer.
The statistics which tell the real story are those which clearly show that the incidence of cancer continues to grow alarmingly, as does the expected worldwide cancer deaths. Between one in two and one in three people are now expected to encounter cancer in their lifetimes.
According to the WHO`s World Cancer Report, considered to be the most comprehensive global examination of the disease to date, cancer rates could further increase by 50% to 15 million new cases in the year 2020.
Many people, including this author, believe that a great deal of the credit for declining death rates is a result of more people looking outside the failed mainstream therapies' box and relying on natural and alternative means to address their cancers. As the aforementioned WHO report also noted, there "provides clear evidence that healthy lifestyles and public health action by governments and health practitioners could stem this trend, and prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide."
The good news is that, thanks to websites like this one and the writers and natural health advocates who are spreading the good word, an increasing number of people are learning about, and turning to, natural and alternative therapies. The bad news is that alternative, non-mainstream, non-toxic and non-invasive therapies continue to be repressed and misrepresented in mainstream studies. The further bad news is that even those who do learn the truth about alternatives are often finding cancer is getting harder to avoid and beat. Though this article is primarily about cancer, the same is true for heart disease and other major chronic illness, and for pretty much the same reasons: we continue to become exposed to more and more toxins and pollution, live unhealthy lifestyles and eat diets that are less nutritionally sound. As a result, our immune systems and our vitality continue to decline and regardless of any treatment, herb or therapy, mainstream or otherwise, it is our immune system, nature`s first line of defense against illness, that is the most important key to beating and avoiding cancer.
People do not beat and avoid cancer nor get other illnesses due to a deficiency in chemotherapy or deficiencies in mainstream medicine. They get cancer and become ill because toxins and diseases beat their immune systems. As data from the CDC and others have shown, our immune systems are becoming progressively weaker, the same as male sperm count is progressively declining. In 1981, Dr. H. F. Pross did a study of the average Natural Killer (NK) count of average Americans. NK count is measured in lytic units (LU), and Dr. Pross found that the average LU count in 1981 was 152. In 1991, Dr. R. B. Herberman did a similar study and found that the LU count had dropped to 135. In 1997, Dr. Gerald See did another study and found the count had dropped to 108. In other words, we are dropping at about the rate of 1 LU per year. Which means that the average LU count in 2009 is likely to be somewhere around 96 which would be an alarming drop of 37% in less than three decades!
Other than earlier detection and including some easily remedied forms of cancer that were once considered simply pre-cancerous conditions, little real progress has been made by the use of mainstream invasive and toxic therapies of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation - all which have been shown to increase the spread of cancer and weaken the body to pave the way for further cancer, particularly the latter two (chemo and radiation).
Most people are likely unaware that virtually all chemotherapy drugs are themselves classified as Class 1 carcinogens! And radiation merely destroys our bone marrow that is the heart of our immune system. A strong immune system from proper diet and nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, elimination of stress, and proper supplementation and nutrition, is still the best way to avoid and beat cancer, especially when buttressed by herbal immune boosters and cancer fighters. But it takes diligence and effort - more so now than ever before.
Cancer and the world we live in have changed a lot during the past 50 years and for that reason we do not seem to see the same successes with some of the famed treatments of prior decades, like the outstanding Budwig Diet protocol, Essiac tea, Hoxsey, Gerson, etc. Cancer appears to be getting harder to avoid and harder to beat once acquired. That is likely due to a number of factors.
One problem, and a very big one, is one we will likely have to live with for centuries: the amount of radiation now found in virtually every square inch of the earth`s surface as a result of the atmospheric atomic bomb blasts that spewed millions of tons of radioactive material into our environment. Two time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling warned of millions of deaths and injuries that could be expected as a result of atmospheric bomb tests. He was rewarded by having the State Department pull his passports. A pre-eminent Russian scientist and later Nobel Laureate himself, Andrei Sakharov, predicted between half a million and one million deaths for every 50 megatons of atmospheric bomb tests (ultimately the tests of the United States and Russia combined to produce fallout equivalent to 40,000 Hiroshimas). Instead of having his passports pulled, Sakharov received a free trip and vacation from the state - an exile to a Siberian Gulag for the next 20 plus years, that is.
In addition to the radiation from nuclear bomb tests that will stay with us for ages, we are increasingly being bombarded with microwaves and high power transmission lines, which industry is recently beginning to lose their decades long cover up of the dangers they have known such technology presented.
Add to that the fact that our industrial age has added no fewer than 80,000 unnatural chemical compounds to our environment, less than 1,000 of which have been tested individually in any way for safety and almost none of which have been tested in combination with one another.
Next, you have about 20,000 FDA approved medications (both prescribed and over the counter) which have been mostly poorly tested for safety individually, scarcely tested for carcinogenic/mutagenic short or long term dangers, and almost none of which have been tested in combination with each other. Over 95% of all FDA approved medications have known side effects by themselves. In combination, one can only imagine what short and long term side-effects could result and one is reminded that many chronic conditions are years in the making. Some cancers, for example, take eight years after they have gained a foothold to grow to the size of a pinhead (after which, the doubling rate increases their size much faster).
Then there are the foods and nutrition we tend to consume (or not consume as the case may be). The food products on the grocers shelves have by and large had the nutrition processed out and additives processed in for added shelf life, flavor, color and texture. The ones that claim to be "enriched" with vitamins and minerals are enriched mostly with synthetic petro-chemical vitamins and crushed rock minerals - not natural ones or ones that have been pre-digested by plants to be bio-available for human benefit.
Our fruit and vegetables are picked early and artificially ripened/preserved with chemicals - plus they often contain pesticides and/or herbicides and come from over-farmed soils which severely lack the major and trace minerals needed for optimum nutrition. Increasingly, our major food crops are being genetically modified to enable them to withstand more and more of such pesticides and herbicides. Increasingly, vital enzymes and other natural compounds are being destroyed by irradiation to "protect us from natural crops.
Our mineral depleted and over-farmed soils usually have just a few petro-chemical synthetics added back to the soil which produce the best growth, but lack the best nutrients. Pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals have killed off the vital soil micro-organisms needed to convert what minerals do remain to usable forms to be taken up by the plants. Those micro-organisms which do remain seldom have adequate time to perform their vital roles thanks to over-farming and lack of proper crop rotation.
Today, most of us are deficient in most vital trace minerals needed for optimum health and many major minerals and vitamins as well. Thanks to the totally overboard scares about the danger of exposure to the sun, most of us are woefully deficient in Vitamin D3 - instead slathering on sunscreens which block out the beneficial rays, let in the harmful ones and contain carcinogens to boot. Most of us are similarly lacking in iodine, and many are lacking in selenium which, besides many other health benefits, is an important co-factor for iodine to be properly utilized. While many people diligently supplement with calcium via milk or supplements, as many as 95% of us are deficient in magnesium - and without magnesium being consumed/supplemented on a 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 ratio with calcium, the calcium does not work.
In great part, cancer is a defense mechanism where the cells mutate to protect themselves from a heavy metal, chemical compound, or other irritant/toxin. One of the things they do is form an outer protective shell which prevents the body`s natural immune system from recognizing and killing off the cancer cells. Some have observed that this protective layer is getting thicker in many forms of cancer, possibly as a result of all the added toxins and other factors listed above. The end result is that cancer is more hardened against attack and is harder to recognize and defeat by immune systems that are most often in less than optimum condition to begin with.
In addition, the body`s great toxin removal organ, the liver, is also often compromised and operating at far less than peak efficiency. Instead of a toxin removal organ, many people have developed fatty livers which are fat and toxin storage organs and which have bile ducts that fail to eliminate toxins but instead serve to recycle them through the bloodstream.
It takes more than just one cancer preventative or cancer fighter these days. That is why the wonderful Budwig protocol, once an almost sure cancer beater and still very successful, is considered essential, but far from the ONLY element.
With declining immune systems in an increasingly polluted, poorly nourished, overmedicated and toxic world, cancer is not getting easier to avoid and neither is it getting easier to beat. Cancer may be easier to beat than most people think, but that is only because most people still do not know a fraction of what good diet, nutrition, herbal supplementation and alternative treatments have to offer.
The more people who educate themselves about alternatives to ineffective and toxic therapies, the more that will be saved.
Sources included:
"Lessons from the Miracle Doctors" by Jon Barron
"The Secret History of the War on Cancer" by Devra Davis
"Politics in Healing" by Daniel Haley
"The Root of All Disease" by Elmer.G.Heinrich
http://tbyil.com/waroncancer.htm
http://www.tbyil.com/anticancer.htm
(NaturalNews) In recent years, statistical cancer death rates have been showing decreases for some cancers in some parts of the world, which has led some people to optimistically report that cancer is getting easier to beat. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
As noted in "Hiding the Truth about Losing the War on Cancer" (http://www.naturalnews.com/023286_c...), statistics can be manipulated and often have been by those with vested interests in maintaining the illusion that we are turning the corner, or that a cure is just around that elusive corner, in the decades long and mostly failed war on cancer.
The statistics which tell the real story are those which clearly show that the incidence of cancer continues to grow alarmingly, as does the expected worldwide cancer deaths. Between one in two and one in three people are now expected to encounter cancer in their lifetimes.
According to the WHO`s World Cancer Report, considered to be the most comprehensive global examination of the disease to date, cancer rates could further increase by 50% to 15 million new cases in the year 2020.
Many people, including this author, believe that a great deal of the credit for declining death rates is a result of more people looking outside the failed mainstream therapies' box and relying on natural and alternative means to address their cancers. As the aforementioned WHO report also noted, there "provides clear evidence that healthy lifestyles and public health action by governments and health practitioners could stem this trend, and prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide."
The good news is that, thanks to websites like this one and the writers and natural health advocates who are spreading the good word, an increasing number of people are learning about, and turning to, natural and alternative therapies. The bad news is that alternative, non-mainstream, non-toxic and non-invasive therapies continue to be repressed and misrepresented in mainstream studies. The further bad news is that even those who do learn the truth about alternatives are often finding cancer is getting harder to avoid and beat. Though this article is primarily about cancer, the same is true for heart disease and other major chronic illness, and for pretty much the same reasons: we continue to become exposed to more and more toxins and pollution, live unhealthy lifestyles and eat diets that are less nutritionally sound. As a result, our immune systems and our vitality continue to decline and regardless of any treatment, herb or therapy, mainstream or otherwise, it is our immune system, nature`s first line of defense against illness, that is the most important key to beating and avoiding cancer.
People do not beat and avoid cancer nor get other illnesses due to a deficiency in chemotherapy or deficiencies in mainstream medicine. They get cancer and become ill because toxins and diseases beat their immune systems. As data from the CDC and others have shown, our immune systems are becoming progressively weaker, the same as male sperm count is progressively declining. In 1981, Dr. H. F. Pross did a study of the average Natural Killer (NK) count of average Americans. NK count is measured in lytic units (LU), and Dr. Pross found that the average LU count in 1981 was 152. In 1991, Dr. R. B. Herberman did a similar study and found that the LU count had dropped to 135. In 1997, Dr. Gerald See did another study and found the count had dropped to 108. In other words, we are dropping at about the rate of 1 LU per year. Which means that the average LU count in 2009 is likely to be somewhere around 96 which would be an alarming drop of 37% in less than three decades!
Other than earlier detection and including some easily remedied forms of cancer that were once considered simply pre-cancerous conditions, little real progress has been made by the use of mainstream invasive and toxic therapies of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation - all which have been shown to increase the spread of cancer and weaken the body to pave the way for further cancer, particularly the latter two (chemo and radiation).
Most people are likely unaware that virtually all chemotherapy drugs are themselves classified as Class 1 carcinogens! And radiation merely destroys our bone marrow that is the heart of our immune system. A strong immune system from proper diet and nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, elimination of stress, and proper supplementation and nutrition, is still the best way to avoid and beat cancer, especially when buttressed by herbal immune boosters and cancer fighters. But it takes diligence and effort - more so now than ever before.
Cancer and the world we live in have changed a lot during the past 50 years and for that reason we do not seem to see the same successes with some of the famed treatments of prior decades, like the outstanding Budwig Diet protocol, Essiac tea, Hoxsey, Gerson, etc. Cancer appears to be getting harder to avoid and harder to beat once acquired. That is likely due to a number of factors.
One problem, and a very big one, is one we will likely have to live with for centuries: the amount of radiation now found in virtually every square inch of the earth`s surface as a result of the atmospheric atomic bomb blasts that spewed millions of tons of radioactive material into our environment. Two time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling warned of millions of deaths and injuries that could be expected as a result of atmospheric bomb tests. He was rewarded by having the State Department pull his passports. A pre-eminent Russian scientist and later Nobel Laureate himself, Andrei Sakharov, predicted between half a million and one million deaths for every 50 megatons of atmospheric bomb tests (ultimately the tests of the United States and Russia combined to produce fallout equivalent to 40,000 Hiroshimas). Instead of having his passports pulled, Sakharov received a free trip and vacation from the state - an exile to a Siberian Gulag for the next 20 plus years, that is.
In addition to the radiation from nuclear bomb tests that will stay with us for ages, we are increasingly being bombarded with microwaves and high power transmission lines, which industry is recently beginning to lose their decades long cover up of the dangers they have known such technology presented.
Add to that the fact that our industrial age has added no fewer than 80,000 unnatural chemical compounds to our environment, less than 1,000 of which have been tested individually in any way for safety and almost none of which have been tested in combination with one another.
Next, you have about 20,000 FDA approved medications (both prescribed and over the counter) which have been mostly poorly tested for safety individually, scarcely tested for carcinogenic/mutagenic short or long term dangers, and almost none of which have been tested in combination with each other. Over 95% of all FDA approved medications have known side effects by themselves. In combination, one can only imagine what short and long term side-effects could result and one is reminded that many chronic conditions are years in the making. Some cancers, for example, take eight years after they have gained a foothold to grow to the size of a pinhead (after which, the doubling rate increases their size much faster).
Then there are the foods and nutrition we tend to consume (or not consume as the case may be). The food products on the grocers shelves have by and large had the nutrition processed out and additives processed in for added shelf life, flavor, color and texture. The ones that claim to be "enriched" with vitamins and minerals are enriched mostly with synthetic petro-chemical vitamins and crushed rock minerals - not natural ones or ones that have been pre-digested by plants to be bio-available for human benefit.
Our fruit and vegetables are picked early and artificially ripened/preserved with chemicals - plus they often contain pesticides and/or herbicides and come from over-farmed soils which severely lack the major and trace minerals needed for optimum nutrition. Increasingly, our major food crops are being genetically modified to enable them to withstand more and more of such pesticides and herbicides. Increasingly, vital enzymes and other natural compounds are being destroyed by irradiation to "protect us from natural crops.
Our mineral depleted and over-farmed soils usually have just a few petro-chemical synthetics added back to the soil which produce the best growth, but lack the best nutrients. Pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals have killed off the vital soil micro-organisms needed to convert what minerals do remain to usable forms to be taken up by the plants. Those micro-organisms which do remain seldom have adequate time to perform their vital roles thanks to over-farming and lack of proper crop rotation.
Today, most of us are deficient in most vital trace minerals needed for optimum health and many major minerals and vitamins as well. Thanks to the totally overboard scares about the danger of exposure to the sun, most of us are woefully deficient in Vitamin D3 - instead slathering on sunscreens which block out the beneficial rays, let in the harmful ones and contain carcinogens to boot. Most of us are similarly lacking in iodine, and many are lacking in selenium which, besides many other health benefits, is an important co-factor for iodine to be properly utilized. While many people diligently supplement with calcium via milk or supplements, as many as 95% of us are deficient in magnesium - and without magnesium being consumed/supplemented on a 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 ratio with calcium, the calcium does not work.
In great part, cancer is a defense mechanism where the cells mutate to protect themselves from a heavy metal, chemical compound, or other irritant/toxin. One of the things they do is form an outer protective shell which prevents the body`s natural immune system from recognizing and killing off the cancer cells. Some have observed that this protective layer is getting thicker in many forms of cancer, possibly as a result of all the added toxins and other factors listed above. The end result is that cancer is more hardened against attack and is harder to recognize and defeat by immune systems that are most often in less than optimum condition to begin with.
In addition, the body`s great toxin removal organ, the liver, is also often compromised and operating at far less than peak efficiency. Instead of a toxin removal organ, many people have developed fatty livers which are fat and toxin storage organs and which have bile ducts that fail to eliminate toxins but instead serve to recycle them through the bloodstream.
It takes more than just one cancer preventative or cancer fighter these days. That is why the wonderful Budwig protocol, once an almost sure cancer beater and still very successful, is considered essential, but far from the ONLY element.
With declining immune systems in an increasingly polluted, poorly nourished, overmedicated and toxic world, cancer is not getting easier to avoid and neither is it getting easier to beat. Cancer may be easier to beat than most people think, but that is only because most people still do not know a fraction of what good diet, nutrition, herbal supplementation and alternative treatments have to offer.
The more people who educate themselves about alternatives to ineffective and toxic therapies, the more that will be saved.
Sources included:
"Lessons from the Miracle Doctors" by Jon Barron
"The Secret History of the War on Cancer" by Devra Davis
"Politics in Healing" by Daniel Haley
"The Root of All Disease" by Elmer.G.Heinrich
http://tbyil.com/waroncancer.htm
http://www.tbyil.com/anticancer.htm
USP Issues Dietary Supplements Compendium
ROCKVILLE, Md.—The U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP) released a new collection of standards for the dietary supplement industry; the USP Dietary Supplements Compendium (DSC) includes quality specs (e.g., identity, strength, performance) for more than 500 dietary supplements and ingredients. The DSC also includes regulatory information, guidance documents, details on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and lab testing guidelines. Its quality specs are drawn from its USP-National Formulary and the Food Chemicals Codex.
According to James Griffiths, Ph.D., USP’s vice president of food, dietary supplement and excipient standards, the DSC will serve as a critical tool for regulators, dietary supplement manufacturers and related industry companies. He noted, “With the current cGMPs [good manufacturing practices] from FDA stipulating dietary supplements manufacturers determine the quality of ingredients they buy from suppliers by setting their own specifications, the DSC can significantly assist manufacturers by providing guidance on suitable specifications, including scientifically valid analytical methods and acceptance criteria.”
Sources:
USP: Dietary Supplements Manufacturers Gain New Tool to Help Ensure Quality Products
According to James Griffiths, Ph.D., USP’s vice president of food, dietary supplement and excipient standards, the DSC will serve as a critical tool for regulators, dietary supplement manufacturers and related industry companies. He noted, “With the current cGMPs [good manufacturing practices] from FDA stipulating dietary supplements manufacturers determine the quality of ingredients they buy from suppliers by setting their own specifications, the DSC can significantly assist manufacturers by providing guidance on suitable specifications, including scientifically valid analytical methods and acceptance criteria.”
Sources:
USP: Dietary Supplements Manufacturers Gain New Tool to Help Ensure Quality Products
Black Tea May Fight Diabetes
In a study of the polysaccharide levels of green, oolong and black teas, researchers found the polysaccharides in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. Polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that includes starch and cellulose, may benefit people with diabetes because they help retard absorption of glucose. The study, published in the Journal of Food Science, also showed black tea polysaccharides have the highest scavenging effect on free radicals.
Sources:
Journal of Food Science: Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Capacity of 3 Polysaccharides from Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Black Tea
Sources:
Journal of Food Science: Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Capacity of 3 Polysaccharides from Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Black Tea
Young You Recalls Adulterated Weight Loss Products
Young You Corp. is conducting a nationwide recall of four weight loss products sold as dietary supplements, after FDA testing showed the products contained undeclared sibutramine, a pharmaceutical approved for use as an appetite suppressant. The adulterated products include Slimbionic, One Weight Loss Pill, SlimDemand and Botanical Weight Loss.
Sources:
FDA: Young You Corporation Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Weight Loss Pills Found to Contain an Undeclared Drug Ingredient
Sources:
FDA: Young You Corporation Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Weight Loss Pills Found to Contain an Undeclared Drug Ingredient
Opteron 1 Recalls Adulterated Sex Supplements
Opteron 1 Inc., dba Nature & Health Co., is recalling six dietary supplements after FDA informed the company its tests found the products contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients (tadalafil, aminotadalafil, sidenafil) used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The adulterated products include Herbal Disiac, LibieXtreme, Libimax X Liquid, Powermania Liquid and Capsules and Y-4ever.
Sources:
FDA: Nature & Health Co. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Six Male Enhancement Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements
Sources:
FDA: Nature & Health Co. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Six Male Enhancement Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements
Weight Loss Improves Mood
Depressed patients on a behavioral weight loss program not only lost body weight but improved their depression symptoms and reduced triglycerides, which are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
“Depression and obesity are independently associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and so reductions in both body weight and symptoms of depression are likely to improve long-term health outcomes” said Dr. Lucy Faulconbridge, lead author of the study.
Fifty-one depressed and non-depressed subjects were recruited into the study to follow a supervised weight loss program that included lifestyle modification and meal replacements. Both depressed and non-depressed subjects lost significant amounts of weight, with depressed individuals losing 8 percent of their initial body weight, compared with 11 percent loss by non-depressed individuals. After six months on the weight loss program, depressed subjects also showed significant improvement of their depressive symptoms, based on a questionnaire.
Additional significant improvements in glucose, insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were observed in both depressed and non-depressed subjects, and depressed individuals showed reduced levels of triglycerides in the blood.
Sources:
Nutrition Horizon: Depressed People Mood Improves in Weight Loss
“Depression and obesity are independently associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and so reductions in both body weight and symptoms of depression are likely to improve long-term health outcomes” said Dr. Lucy Faulconbridge, lead author of the study.
Fifty-one depressed and non-depressed subjects were recruited into the study to follow a supervised weight loss program that included lifestyle modification and meal replacements. Both depressed and non-depressed subjects lost significant amounts of weight, with depressed individuals losing 8 percent of their initial body weight, compared with 11 percent loss by non-depressed individuals. After six months on the weight loss program, depressed subjects also showed significant improvement of their depressive symptoms, based on a questionnaire.
Additional significant improvements in glucose, insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were observed in both depressed and non-depressed subjects, and depressed individuals showed reduced levels of triglycerides in the blood.
Sources:
Nutrition Horizon: Depressed People Mood Improves in Weight Loss
Understanding Rancidity of Nutritional Lipids
by Robin Koon
Since ancient times, deterioration of lipids has been a major problem in the storage of oils and fats. Often referred to as rancidity, it is the natural process of decomposition (degradation) of fats or oils by either hydrolysis or oxidation, or both. The development of rancidity is accompanied by a marked increase in the acid value of the fat, which is tested by using two basic laboratory tests: Peroxide Value (PV) and Anisidine Value (AnV).
The process of degradation converts fatty acid esters of oils into free fatty acids, by reaction with air, moisture and/or other materials. This includes triglycerides (95 percent of all dietary fats), which are naturally occurring esters of three fatty acids and glycerol. However, there are some oils that are naturally high in free fatty acids—think conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or saw palmetto. These lipids degrade to the point of becoming either unpalatable or unhealthy to ingest. Ingestion of rancid lipids has been linked to the development or exacerbation of many diseases, including atherosclerosis, cataracts, diarrhea, kidney disease and heart disease, and can cause cellular membrane damage, nausea, neurodegeneration and carcinogenesis.
Vegetable oils tend to be less stable and turn rancid more quickly than do animal fats. They can also become several times more rancid than animal fats, even before the human sense of smell can detect it. Unsaturated fats are more susceptible to oxidation than are saturated fats, meaning the more polyunsaturated a fat is, the faster it will go rancid. This is due to the more unstable double bonds, which allow more oxygen to react at those points. Oils generally don’t suddenly go rancid; they tend to slowly become more oxidized over time.
Causes of Rancidity
There are two basic types or causes of rancidity that cause and/or contribute to the degradation of stored edible oils: oxidative and hydrolytic. Oxidative rancidity, known as autoxidation, occurs when oxygen is absorbed from the environment. In the presence of oxygen and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, most lipids will break down and degrade, forming several other compounds. Oxygen is eight times more soluble in fats than it is in water; it is this exposure that is the main cause of the autoxidation process, increasing the saturation of the oil.
Hydrolytic rancidity, also called hydrolysis or enzymatic oxidation, occurs in the absence of air, but with moisture present. This normally is accomplished through enzymatic peroxidation, where enzymes found naturally in plant oils (i.e., lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase) and animal fats (i.e., lipase) can catalyze reactions between water and oil.
Another degradation process is microbial rancidity, in which micro-organisms such as bacteria, molds and yeast use their enzymes to break down chemical structures in the oil, producing unwanted odors and flavors. Water needs to be present for microbial growth to occur.
There are other contributing factors that can significantly speed up the rancidity process, including:
Temperature: decomposition rate increases as temperature rises
Time
Light (photo oxidation): in the presence of oxygen, light promotes oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids
Water
Catalysts: trace metal ions, metalloproteins and inorganic salts
Since ancient times, deterioration of lipids has been a major problem in the storage of oils and fats. Often referred to as rancidity, it is the natural process of decomposition (degradation) of fats or oils by either hydrolysis or oxidation, or both. The development of rancidity is accompanied by a marked increase in the acid value of the fat, which is tested by using two basic laboratory tests: Peroxide Value (PV) and Anisidine Value (AnV).
The process of degradation converts fatty acid esters of oils into free fatty acids, by reaction with air, moisture and/or other materials. This includes triglycerides (95 percent of all dietary fats), which are naturally occurring esters of three fatty acids and glycerol. However, there are some oils that are naturally high in free fatty acids—think conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or saw palmetto. These lipids degrade to the point of becoming either unpalatable or unhealthy to ingest. Ingestion of rancid lipids has been linked to the development or exacerbation of many diseases, including atherosclerosis, cataracts, diarrhea, kidney disease and heart disease, and can cause cellular membrane damage, nausea, neurodegeneration and carcinogenesis.
Vegetable oils tend to be less stable and turn rancid more quickly than do animal fats. They can also become several times more rancid than animal fats, even before the human sense of smell can detect it. Unsaturated fats are more susceptible to oxidation than are saturated fats, meaning the more polyunsaturated a fat is, the faster it will go rancid. This is due to the more unstable double bonds, which allow more oxygen to react at those points. Oils generally don’t suddenly go rancid; they tend to slowly become more oxidized over time.
Causes of Rancidity
There are two basic types or causes of rancidity that cause and/or contribute to the degradation of stored edible oils: oxidative and hydrolytic. Oxidative rancidity, known as autoxidation, occurs when oxygen is absorbed from the environment. In the presence of oxygen and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, most lipids will break down and degrade, forming several other compounds. Oxygen is eight times more soluble in fats than it is in water; it is this exposure that is the main cause of the autoxidation process, increasing the saturation of the oil.
Hydrolytic rancidity, also called hydrolysis or enzymatic oxidation, occurs in the absence of air, but with moisture present. This normally is accomplished through enzymatic peroxidation, where enzymes found naturally in plant oils (i.e., lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase) and animal fats (i.e., lipase) can catalyze reactions between water and oil.
Another degradation process is microbial rancidity, in which micro-organisms such as bacteria, molds and yeast use their enzymes to break down chemical structures in the oil, producing unwanted odors and flavors. Water needs to be present for microbial growth to occur.
There are other contributing factors that can significantly speed up the rancidity process, including:
Temperature: decomposition rate increases as temperature rises
Time
Light (photo oxidation): in the presence of oxygen, light promotes oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids
Water
Catalysts: trace metal ions, metalloproteins and inorganic salts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Yogic Slim:Loss Fat Naturally and Reclaim Your Youth
Yogic Slim is a natural supplement geared towards the attainment of permanent weight loss, improved vitality, and optimal health. It will help you:
Master Your Eating Habits.
Regulate Your Appetite.
Optimize Your Nutrient Absorption.
Increase Your Metabolism and Energy.
Reduce Your Fat and Cholesterol.
Lose Weight Permanently.
Yogic Slim treats the underlying causes of Obesity - not just the symptoms!
Yogic Slim contains the 8 most potent herbal concentrates available in Ayurvedic Science for slimming and backed by clinical studies. When formulated in the correct amounts and blended by our proprietary process, 94 natural phytonutrients exert 352 synergistic activities on your body to correct the basis for excess weight by regulating appetite, optimizing digestion and nutrient absorption, increasing metabolism and energy, and reducing body fat and cholesterol.
Yogic Slim engenders enzymatic activity in the thyroid to increase metabolism, rejuvenates the liver which holds the key to many of the body's fat-burning mechanisms, minimizes nervous tension to remove turmoil in the digestive tract, promotes production of digestive enzymes to hasten digestion so food has less opportunity to be converted into stored fat, supports blood formation which has a positive impact on the body's energy levels, maintains a healthy balance of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids, retards the buildup of fatty plaques that may harden arteries, and introduces equilibrium that prevents excess appetite.
The ingredients in Yogic Slim comprise a Proprietary Blend that goes to work directly on your entire body to help it become a leaner, more efficient, fat-burning center. Simply take one Yogic Slim capsule two times per day to maintain and intensify these effects on your metabolism over time.
Master Your Eating Habits.
Regulate Your Appetite.
Optimize Your Nutrient Absorption.
Increase Your Metabolism and Energy.
Reduce Your Fat and Cholesterol.
Lose Weight Permanently.
Yogic Slim treats the underlying causes of Obesity - not just the symptoms!
Yogic Slim contains the 8 most potent herbal concentrates available in Ayurvedic Science for slimming and backed by clinical studies. When formulated in the correct amounts and blended by our proprietary process, 94 natural phytonutrients exert 352 synergistic activities on your body to correct the basis for excess weight by regulating appetite, optimizing digestion and nutrient absorption, increasing metabolism and energy, and reducing body fat and cholesterol.
Yogic Slim engenders enzymatic activity in the thyroid to increase metabolism, rejuvenates the liver which holds the key to many of the body's fat-burning mechanisms, minimizes nervous tension to remove turmoil in the digestive tract, promotes production of digestive enzymes to hasten digestion so food has less opportunity to be converted into stored fat, supports blood formation which has a positive impact on the body's energy levels, maintains a healthy balance of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids, retards the buildup of fatty plaques that may harden arteries, and introduces equilibrium that prevents excess appetite.
The ingredients in Yogic Slim comprise a Proprietary Blend that goes to work directly on your entire body to help it become a leaner, more efficient, fat-burning center. Simply take one Yogic Slim capsule two times per day to maintain and intensify these effects on your metabolism over time.
Alzheimer's Disease and Alternative Medicine
By shelley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people are turning towards alternative medicine after being disillusioned with conventional medicine. Many vitamins, herbal concoctions and other supplements are said to be good for treating Alzheimer’s disease.
There is a serious concern about the efficacy of these remedies r treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, taken in conjunction with conventional prescriptions.
The things that work against the alternative medicine against Alzheimer’s is that it is not mandatory for the manufacturer of the dietary supplement to get it approved from FDA for the claims it is laying for the product.
Also, FDA has not been given any authority over the manufacturers of the supplements. Since, these supplements lie out of the gambit of control of FDA; it becomes very difficult to assess the purity of these products. Sometimes, the ingredients and their uses may not be what are present in the product.
Makers of these products are not responsible to report any problems faced by customers, therefore one can not be very sure of the claims made by the producers of these supplements.
It is essential that one consults their physician before starting any of these supplements, as they might interact with the prescribed medicines. It should not be taken without first consulting a physician.
Some of the products that are suggested for Alzheimer are Coenzyme Q10, coral calcium, Gingko biloba, Huperzine A, Omega 3 fatty acids, Phosphatidylserine. Coenzyme Q10 and coral calcium have been researched and studies, but have been found to be not very effective in curing Alzheimer. Coral calcium as the name suggests is obtained from the corals and is different from the normal calcium that it has some extra minerals, also.
Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese herb which has been in use for centuries now. It is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it has been used for centuries by traditional Chinese medicine, it has become popular only recently in the west.
Huperzine A is a moss extract and has properties which are not very different from cholinesterase inhibitors, which have been approved by FDA for Alzheimer.
Research carried out till now have shown that the taking omega-3s leads to a reduction in risk of dementia. But, this topic is still being studies.
Phosphatidylserine is a lipid which has showed some promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people are turning towards alternative medicine after being disillusioned with conventional medicine. Many vitamins, herbal concoctions and other supplements are said to be good for treating Alzheimer’s disease.
There is a serious concern about the efficacy of these remedies r treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, taken in conjunction with conventional prescriptions.
The things that work against the alternative medicine against Alzheimer’s is that it is not mandatory for the manufacturer of the dietary supplement to get it approved from FDA for the claims it is laying for the product.
Also, FDA has not been given any authority over the manufacturers of the supplements. Since, these supplements lie out of the gambit of control of FDA; it becomes very difficult to assess the purity of these products. Sometimes, the ingredients and their uses may not be what are present in the product.
Makers of these products are not responsible to report any problems faced by customers, therefore one can not be very sure of the claims made by the producers of these supplements.
It is essential that one consults their physician before starting any of these supplements, as they might interact with the prescribed medicines. It should not be taken without first consulting a physician.
Some of the products that are suggested for Alzheimer are Coenzyme Q10, coral calcium, Gingko biloba, Huperzine A, Omega 3 fatty acids, Phosphatidylserine. Coenzyme Q10 and coral calcium have been researched and studies, but have been found to be not very effective in curing Alzheimer. Coral calcium as the name suggests is obtained from the corals and is different from the normal calcium that it has some extra minerals, also.
Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese herb which has been in use for centuries now. It is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it has been used for centuries by traditional Chinese medicine, it has become popular only recently in the west.
Huperzine A is a moss extract and has properties which are not very different from cholinesterase inhibitors, which have been approved by FDA for Alzheimer.
Research carried out till now have shown that the taking omega-3s leads to a reduction in risk of dementia. But, this topic is still being studies.
Phosphatidylserine is a lipid which has showed some promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease
Discover a Diet For How to O vercome Chronic Fatique Sydrome'
by stewart
Benefit from a chronic fatigue treatment using diet Generally, it is believed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not absolutely curable; however, it can be managed. Several treatments have been suggested and one must choose the one that suits their lifestyle, their pocket, is the most effective, and have no side effects to help suffers of chronic fatigue syndrome coping better. Please note that the more natural and herbal the chronic fatigue treatment is, the more effective it is, as the body readily responds to such a treatment. Here is a list of all the ?self-care? and ?natural? treatments for how to overcome chronic fatigue. Some of these are home-remedies and are 100% natural: ? Changing one?s lifestyle ? Drug therapy ? Chronic fatigue detox ? Physical Therapy ? Activity management ? Reducing stress ? Chronic fatigue syndrome diet Restrictions ? Herbal Nutrition Supplement: Make sure that the supplements are 100% herbal and have been purchased from a renowned manufacturer and supplier. ? Cold Water Baths ? Taking adequate rest How do nutritional supplements help your cause? Now, we will consider the case of taking a herbal nutrition supplement, as to how exactly do they function, and hence rid you from the vulnerability to CFS. Essentially, these supplements perform the function of detoxifying your body from all the detrimental chemical toxins present. These herbal supplements tend to add more nutrients to your diet and hence make it ?friendly? towards your body. The body, upon the intake of herbal nutritional supplements, responds by strengthening the immune system. The immune system is responsible for enabling your body for performing the ?self-repair? functions. These nutrients work at the cellular level in the body. The body?s tendency to absorb nutrients from the diet also tends to increase as a result of these supplements. This is how to overcome chronic fatigue by adding a herbal nutrition supplement program to your daily chronic fatigue syndrome diet. Completing a full chronic fatigue detox of your body is a vital function as chemical toxins tend to exacerbate the condition of CFS. These supplements help the body to rid these toxins from the blood stream. Types of Herbal Nutritional Supplements There are many types, and each functions in its unique way. Changing your nutritional diet intake will help improve your immunity levels to better fight off the predatory diseases that attack when your system has been weakened from chemical or viral attack resulting in CFS symptoms. There are many good natural alternative remedy tips to get from Helene Malmsio, who has been a Nutritional Consultant for over a decade and has created a site that is devoted to helping you help yourself with using nutritional supplements and chronic fatigue herbs to better cope with chronic fatigue. All of these incorporate natural herbal based ingredients and are a part of the chronic fatigue syndrome diet plan that helps you to fight the condition of CFS: ? Protein Powder Smoothie Drink ? Vitamins & Minerals in a Herbal Base ? Florafibre with acidophilus ? Herbal Aloe Juice Drink To help improve your health and join the people who have recovered from CFS, or at the least are able to cope better with their symptoms, you need to explore fully all the alternative health options available to you, including your nutrition. Find the products that have testimonials from people who have had positive health improvements. Talk to the nutritionists and wellness consultants who specialize in helping people deal with CFS on a daily basis, and have a good track record of helping their clients to recover. Don?t settle for anything less, you deserve the best!
for more reading link; www.thehealthsuccesssite.com
Benefit from a chronic fatigue treatment using diet Generally, it is believed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not absolutely curable; however, it can be managed. Several treatments have been suggested and one must choose the one that suits their lifestyle, their pocket, is the most effective, and have no side effects to help suffers of chronic fatigue syndrome coping better. Please note that the more natural and herbal the chronic fatigue treatment is, the more effective it is, as the body readily responds to such a treatment. Here is a list of all the ?self-care? and ?natural? treatments for how to overcome chronic fatigue. Some of these are home-remedies and are 100% natural: ? Changing one?s lifestyle ? Drug therapy ? Chronic fatigue detox ? Physical Therapy ? Activity management ? Reducing stress ? Chronic fatigue syndrome diet Restrictions ? Herbal Nutrition Supplement: Make sure that the supplements are 100% herbal and have been purchased from a renowned manufacturer and supplier. ? Cold Water Baths ? Taking adequate rest How do nutritional supplements help your cause? Now, we will consider the case of taking a herbal nutrition supplement, as to how exactly do they function, and hence rid you from the vulnerability to CFS. Essentially, these supplements perform the function of detoxifying your body from all the detrimental chemical toxins present. These herbal supplements tend to add more nutrients to your diet and hence make it ?friendly? towards your body. The body, upon the intake of herbal nutritional supplements, responds by strengthening the immune system. The immune system is responsible for enabling your body for performing the ?self-repair? functions. These nutrients work at the cellular level in the body. The body?s tendency to absorb nutrients from the diet also tends to increase as a result of these supplements. This is how to overcome chronic fatigue by adding a herbal nutrition supplement program to your daily chronic fatigue syndrome diet. Completing a full chronic fatigue detox of your body is a vital function as chemical toxins tend to exacerbate the condition of CFS. These supplements help the body to rid these toxins from the blood stream. Types of Herbal Nutritional Supplements There are many types, and each functions in its unique way. Changing your nutritional diet intake will help improve your immunity levels to better fight off the predatory diseases that attack when your system has been weakened from chemical or viral attack resulting in CFS symptoms. There are many good natural alternative remedy tips to get from Helene Malmsio, who has been a Nutritional Consultant for over a decade and has created a site that is devoted to helping you help yourself with using nutritional supplements and chronic fatigue herbs to better cope with chronic fatigue. All of these incorporate natural herbal based ingredients and are a part of the chronic fatigue syndrome diet plan that helps you to fight the condition of CFS: ? Protein Powder Smoothie Drink ? Vitamins & Minerals in a Herbal Base ? Florafibre with acidophilus ? Herbal Aloe Juice Drink To help improve your health and join the people who have recovered from CFS, or at the least are able to cope better with their symptoms, you need to explore fully all the alternative health options available to you, including your nutrition. Find the products that have testimonials from people who have had positive health improvements. Talk to the nutritionists and wellness consultants who specialize in helping people deal with CFS on a daily basis, and have a good track record of helping their clients to recover. Don?t settle for anything less, you deserve the best!
for more reading link; www.thehealthsuccesssite.com
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Calcium Supplement: What Should You Look For?
By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com
Why You Need Calcium
Calcium is essential for many body functions, including:
•regulating the heartbeat
•conducting nerve impulses
•stimulating hormone secretions
•clotting of blood
•building and maintaining healthy bones
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Getting enough of this nutrient is important because the human body cannot make it. Even after you are fully grown, adequate calcium intake is important because the body loses calcium every day through:
•the skin
•the nails
•the hair
•sweat
•urine and feces
This lost calcium must be replaced daily through the diet. Otherwise, the body takes calcium out of the bones to perform other functions, making the bones weaker and more likely to break over time.
•Osteoporosis / Bone Loss
Experts recommend that adults get 1,000 to 1,200 mg (milligrams) of calcium each day. Although food is the best source of calcium, most Americans do not get enough of it from food sources. Calcium supplements and calcium-fortified foods can fill the gap.
What To Look For In Calcium Supplements
Calcium exists in nature only in combination with other substances. These substances are called compounds. Several different calcium compounds are used in supplements, including:
•calcium carbonate
•calcium phosphate
•calcium citrate
These compounds contain different amounts of elemental calcium, which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. It is important to read the label carefully to determine how much elemental calcium is in the supplement and how many doses or pills to take.
Calcium supplements are available without a prescription in a wide range of preparations and strengths, which can make selecting one a confusing experience. Many people ask which calcium supplement they should take. The best supplement is the one that meets your needs. Ask yourself these questions:
•How well does my body tolerate this kind of supplement?
•Does it cause any side effects?
•Is this kind of supplement convenient?
•Can I remember to take it as often as recommended each day?
•Is the cost within my budget?
•Is it widely available?
Other Things to Consider
Purity:
Choose calcium supplements with familiar brand names. Look for labels that state purified or have the USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) symbol. Avoid calcium from unrefined oyster shell, bone meal, or dolomite without the USP symbol, because it may contain high levels of lead or other toxic metals.
Absorbability:
Most brand-name calcium products are absorbed easily in the body. If you are not sure about your product, you can find out how well it dissolves by placing it in a small amount of warm water for 30 minutes (stirring occasionally). If it hasn’t dissolved within this time, it probably will not dissolve in your stomach. Chewable and liquid calcium supplements dissolve well because they are broken down before they enter the stomach.
Calcium, whether from food or supplements, is absorbed best by the body when it is taken several times a day in amounts of 500 mg or less, but taking it all at once is better than not taking it at all. Calcium carbonate is absorbed best when taken with food. Calcium citrate can be taken anytime.
Tolerance:
For certain people, some calcium supplements may cause side effects such as gas or constipation. If simple measures (such as increasing your intake of fluids and high-fiber foods) do not solve the problem, try another form of calcium. Also, it is important to increase the dose of your supplement gradually: take just 500 mg a day for a week, then slowly add more calcium. Don't take more than the recommended amount of calcium without your doctor’s approval.
Calcium Interactions:
It is important to talk with a doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between your over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and calcium supplements. For example:
•Calcium interferes with iron absorption (don't take a calcium supplement at the same time as an iron supplement - unless the calcium supplement is calcium citrate, or unless the iron supplement is taken with vitamin C)
•Medications taken on an empty stomach should not be taken with calcium supplements
Combination Products
Calcium supplements are available in a bewildering array of combinations with vitamins and other minerals. Calcium supplements often come in combination with vitamin D, which is necessary for the absorption of calcium. However, calcium and vitamin D do not need to be taken together and/or in the same preparation in order to be absorbed by the body. Minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus also are important but usually are obtained through food or multivitamins. Most experts recommend that nutrients come from a balanced diet, with multivitamins used to supplement dietary deficiencies.
Getting enough calcium, whether through your diet or with the help of supplements, will help to protect the health of your bones.
Why You Need Calcium
Calcium is essential for many body functions, including:
•regulating the heartbeat
•conducting nerve impulses
•stimulating hormone secretions
•clotting of blood
•building and maintaining healthy bones
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Getting enough of this nutrient is important because the human body cannot make it. Even after you are fully grown, adequate calcium intake is important because the body loses calcium every day through:
•the skin
•the nails
•the hair
•sweat
•urine and feces
This lost calcium must be replaced daily through the diet. Otherwise, the body takes calcium out of the bones to perform other functions, making the bones weaker and more likely to break over time.
•Osteoporosis / Bone Loss
Experts recommend that adults get 1,000 to 1,200 mg (milligrams) of calcium each day. Although food is the best source of calcium, most Americans do not get enough of it from food sources. Calcium supplements and calcium-fortified foods can fill the gap.
What To Look For In Calcium Supplements
Calcium exists in nature only in combination with other substances. These substances are called compounds. Several different calcium compounds are used in supplements, including:
•calcium carbonate
•calcium phosphate
•calcium citrate
These compounds contain different amounts of elemental calcium, which is the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. It is important to read the label carefully to determine how much elemental calcium is in the supplement and how many doses or pills to take.
Calcium supplements are available without a prescription in a wide range of preparations and strengths, which can make selecting one a confusing experience. Many people ask which calcium supplement they should take. The best supplement is the one that meets your needs. Ask yourself these questions:
•How well does my body tolerate this kind of supplement?
•Does it cause any side effects?
•Is this kind of supplement convenient?
•Can I remember to take it as often as recommended each day?
•Is the cost within my budget?
•Is it widely available?
Other Things to Consider
Purity:
Choose calcium supplements with familiar brand names. Look for labels that state purified or have the USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) symbol. Avoid calcium from unrefined oyster shell, bone meal, or dolomite without the USP symbol, because it may contain high levels of lead or other toxic metals.
Absorbability:
Most brand-name calcium products are absorbed easily in the body. If you are not sure about your product, you can find out how well it dissolves by placing it in a small amount of warm water for 30 minutes (stirring occasionally). If it hasn’t dissolved within this time, it probably will not dissolve in your stomach. Chewable and liquid calcium supplements dissolve well because they are broken down before they enter the stomach.
Calcium, whether from food or supplements, is absorbed best by the body when it is taken several times a day in amounts of 500 mg or less, but taking it all at once is better than not taking it at all. Calcium carbonate is absorbed best when taken with food. Calcium citrate can be taken anytime.
Tolerance:
For certain people, some calcium supplements may cause side effects such as gas or constipation. If simple measures (such as increasing your intake of fluids and high-fiber foods) do not solve the problem, try another form of calcium. Also, it is important to increase the dose of your supplement gradually: take just 500 mg a day for a week, then slowly add more calcium. Don't take more than the recommended amount of calcium without your doctor’s approval.
Calcium Interactions:
It is important to talk with a doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between your over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and calcium supplements. For example:
•Calcium interferes with iron absorption (don't take a calcium supplement at the same time as an iron supplement - unless the calcium supplement is calcium citrate, or unless the iron supplement is taken with vitamin C)
•Medications taken on an empty stomach should not be taken with calcium supplements
Combination Products
Calcium supplements are available in a bewildering array of combinations with vitamins and other minerals. Calcium supplements often come in combination with vitamin D, which is necessary for the absorption of calcium. However, calcium and vitamin D do not need to be taken together and/or in the same preparation in order to be absorbed by the body. Minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus also are important but usually are obtained through food or multivitamins. Most experts recommend that nutrients come from a balanced diet, with multivitamins used to supplement dietary deficiencies.
Getting enough calcium, whether through your diet or with the help of supplements, will help to protect the health of your bones.
Alternative Therapies - Natural Treatments - Home Remedies
Information on home remedies, natural treatments, and other alternative therapies for arthritis. Natural treatments and alternative medicine can serve to complement more traditional arthritis therapies. Keep in mind some alternative approaches have questions regarding their efficacy and safety
Ginseng Root - Supplement - Uses - Health Benefits - Side Effects
Ginseng is a dietary supplement. Information on the common uses, health benefits, and side effects of ginseng. Ginseng root (Panax) has been used as a herbal remedy for thousands of years. You should compare ingredients of all ginseng products, since there are several types of ginseng species with different uses, benefits, and potential side effects.
Friday, August 7, 2009
How Can I Get Reliable Information About A CAM Therapy?
It is important to learn what scientific studies have discovered about the CAM therapy you are considering. Making a decision based on the facts is a better idea than using a therapy simply because of something you have seen in an advertisement or on a Web site or because someone has told you that it worked for them. (For tips on how to evaluate Web site information, see the NCCAM fact sheet Evaluating Web-Based Health Resources.)
Understanding a therapy's potential benefits, risks, and scientific evidence is critical to your health and safety. Scientific research on many CAM therapies is relatively new, so this kind of information may not be available for every therapy. However, many studies are under way, including those that NCCAM supports, and knowledge and understanding of CAM are increasing all the time. Here are some ways to find reliable information:
Talk with your doctor or other health care providers. Tell them about the therapy you are considering and ask any questions you may have about safety, effectiveness, or interactions with medications (prescription or nonprescription) or other dietary supplements. They may know about the therapy and be able to advise you on its safety and use.
Visit the NCCAM Web site (nccam.nih.gov). The Health Information page has information on specific CAM therapies, and links to other online sources of information. It also has contact information for the NCCAM Clearinghouse, where information specialists are available to assist you in searching the peer-reviewed literature and to suggest useful NCCAM publications.
Visit your local library or a medical library. Ask the reference librarian to help you find books and scientific journals with information on the therapy that interests you.
Understanding a therapy's potential benefits, risks, and scientific evidence is critical to your health and safety. Scientific research on many CAM therapies is relatively new, so this kind of information may not be available for every therapy. However, many studies are under way, including those that NCCAM supports, and knowledge and understanding of CAM are increasing all the time. Here are some ways to find reliable information:
Talk with your doctor or other health care providers. Tell them about the therapy you are considering and ask any questions you may have about safety, effectiveness, or interactions with medications (prescription or nonprescription) or other dietary supplements. They may know about the therapy and be able to advise you on its safety and use.
Visit the NCCAM Web site (nccam.nih.gov). The Health Information page has information on specific CAM therapies, and links to other online sources of information. It also has contact information for the NCCAM Clearinghouse, where information specialists are available to assist you in searching the peer-reviewed literature and to suggest useful NCCAM publications.
Visit your local library or a medical library. Ask the reference librarian to help you find books and scientific journals with information on the therapy that interests you.
Are Complementary Medicine And Alternate Medicine Different From Each Other?
Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other?
Yes, they are different.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapyA therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being. to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.
Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.
Yes, they are different.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapyA therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being. to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.
Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.
What Is Complimentary And Alternate Medicine?
What is CAM?
CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine. While scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies—questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the purposes for which they are used.
CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine. While scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies—questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the purposes for which they are used.
NCCAM Clinical Trials On Garlic
Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information about garlic—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Garlic is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family. It has been used as both a medicine and a spice for thousands of years.
Common Names—garlic
Latin Names—Allium sativum
Top
What It Is Used For
Garlic's most common uses as a dietary supplementA product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements. are for high cholesterol, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Garlic is also used to prevent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers.
Top
How It Is Used
Garlic cloves can be eaten raw or cooked. They may also be dried or powdered and used in tablets and capsules. Raw garlic cloves can be used to make oils and liquid extracts.
Top
What the Science Says
Some evidence indicates that taking garlic can slightly lower blood cholesterol levels; studies have shown positive effects for short-term (1 to 3 months) use. However, an NCCAM-funded study on the safety and effectiveness of three garlic preparations (fresh garlic, dried powdered garlic tablets, and aged garlic extract tablets) for lowering blood cholesterol levels found no effect.
Preliminary research suggests that taking garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a condition that can lead to heart disease or stroke.
Evidence is mixed on whether taking garlic can slightly lower blood pressure.
Some studies suggest consuming garlic as a regular part of the diet may lower the risk of certain cancers. However, no clinical trials have examined this. A clinical trial on the long-term use of garlic supplements to prevent stomach cancer found no effect.
Recent NCCAM-funded research includes studies on how garlic interacts with certain drugs and how it can thin the blood.
Top
Side Effects and Cautions
Garlic appears to be safe for most adults.
Side effects include breath and body odor, heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions. These side effects are more common with raw garlic.
Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) in a manner similar to aspirin. This effect may be a problem during or after surgery. Use garlic with caution if you are planning to have surgery or dental work, or if you have a bleeding disorder. A cautious approach is to avoid garlic in your diet or as a supplement for at least 1 week before surgery.
Garlic has been found to interfere with the effectiveness of saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection. Its effect on other drugs has not been well studied.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Top
Sources
Gardner CD, Lawson LD, Block E, et al. Effect of raw garlic vs. commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized clinical trial. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007;167(4):346–353.
National Cancer Institute. Garlic and Cancer Prevention: Questions and Answers. National Cancer Institute Web site. Accessed at cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/garlic on July 9, 2007.
This fact sheet provides basic information about garlic—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Garlic is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family. It has been used as both a medicine and a spice for thousands of years.
Common Names—garlic
Latin Names—Allium sativum
Top
What It Is Used For
Garlic's most common uses as a dietary supplementA product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements. are for high cholesterol, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Garlic is also used to prevent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers.
Top
How It Is Used
Garlic cloves can be eaten raw or cooked. They may also be dried or powdered and used in tablets and capsules. Raw garlic cloves can be used to make oils and liquid extracts.
Top
What the Science Says
Some evidence indicates that taking garlic can slightly lower blood cholesterol levels; studies have shown positive effects for short-term (1 to 3 months) use. However, an NCCAM-funded study on the safety and effectiveness of three garlic preparations (fresh garlic, dried powdered garlic tablets, and aged garlic extract tablets) for lowering blood cholesterol levels found no effect.
Preliminary research suggests that taking garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a condition that can lead to heart disease or stroke.
Evidence is mixed on whether taking garlic can slightly lower blood pressure.
Some studies suggest consuming garlic as a regular part of the diet may lower the risk of certain cancers. However, no clinical trials have examined this. A clinical trial on the long-term use of garlic supplements to prevent stomach cancer found no effect.
Recent NCCAM-funded research includes studies on how garlic interacts with certain drugs and how it can thin the blood.
Top
Side Effects and Cautions
Garlic appears to be safe for most adults.
Side effects include breath and body odor, heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions. These side effects are more common with raw garlic.
Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) in a manner similar to aspirin. This effect may be a problem during or after surgery. Use garlic with caution if you are planning to have surgery or dental work, or if you have a bleeding disorder. A cautious approach is to avoid garlic in your diet or as a supplement for at least 1 week before surgery.
Garlic has been found to interfere with the effectiveness of saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection. Its effect on other drugs has not been well studied.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Top
Sources
Gardner CD, Lawson LD, Block E, et al. Effect of raw garlic vs. commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized clinical trial. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007;167(4):346–353.
National Cancer Institute. Garlic and Cancer Prevention: Questions and Answers. National Cancer Institute Web site. Accessed at cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/garlic on July 9, 2007.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Stevia Expands Functional-Food Options
When FDA gave the GRAS green light to stevia-based sweeteners late last year, the sweetener world felt a bit of a tremor. Now, for the first time, the industry had an approved, zero-calorie, all-natural sweetener at its disposal.
With stevia in their arsenals, product developers can now delve into a newly developed niche: low-calorie, all-natural functional foods. The body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms, so there is no caloric intake. Also, stevia doesn’t adversely affect blood glucose levels and may be used freely by diabetics.
A question of purity
The Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to Central and South America, and now also cultivated in China, has long been known in natural-products circles for its sweet taste. The stevia-based sweetener approved as GRAS by FDA is rebaudioside-A (reb-A), generally considered the best-tasting steviol glycoside of the several present in the plant.
Processors extract reb-A from stevia, and the purity of the extracted reb-A dictates its flavor nuances, with less-pure extracts displaying metallic and licorice notes, and highly pure extracts coming in with a much-cleaner flavor profile. Although reb-A extracts are available in a range of purities, highly pure (99%) reb-A is the hallmark.
“If a product contains steviosides or other steviol glycosides, taste will be compromised,” says Cecilia McCollum, executive vice president, Blue California, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.
Before selecting a stevia-derived ingredient, manufacturers “need to know the difference in the various stevia products available to them, including the chemicals used in the extraction process and the residual chemicals and alcohols remaining in the powdered stevia extract,” says James A. May, founder and president, Wisdom Natural Brands, Gilbert, AZ. He points to methanol and ethanol as extraction chemicals that can negatively impact a stevia ingredient’s flavor, while citing purified water as a less-obtrusive extraction medium. “At least at this point in time, formulators need to investigate the sources and purity of the stevia extracts available to them,” he says.
Purity and quality standards for stevia-derived ingredients have been set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (see jecfa.ilsi.org/evaluation.cfm?chemical=steviol%20glycosides for complete details).
Application details
Reb-A is 200 to 400 times sweeter than sucrose and is highly light- and heat-stable. According to Varuzhan Abelyan, Ph.D., corporate vice president, R&D and process innovation, PureCircle, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reb-A is most stable in solution at pH 4 to 8.
To keep a functional food “natural,” formulators can pair sugar, corn syrup and/or fructose with reb-A to design reduced-calorie products, or use reb-A as the sole sweetener. Stevia, notes May, “possesses a high level synergy with virtually all other sweeteners.” Erythritol, a natural polyol, is another option, and can augment sweetness levels without contributing significant caloric levels (0.2 calories per gram). Including citric and malic acid can improve sweetness perception and flavor. Reb-A extracts with lower purity often require a masking agent to deliver acceptable product flavor. Some reb-A manufacturers are working hand-in-hand with flavor houses to develop application-specific flavor-sweetener systems to streamline the R&D process.
“Stevia extract can be used anywhere sugar or any artificial sweetener would be used,” says May. “It can be used in cooking or baking. However, it does not brown.” If Malliard browning or caramelization is desired, a reducing sugar must be used in conjunction in the proper ratio, he notes.
Since reb-A generally replaces sugar but has a much-higher sweetness level, a bulking agent, such as erythritol, inulin or dextrose, may be required in products like baked goods. Selecting inulin as a bulking agent has the added benefit of contributing a prebiotic effect, a plus for formulators developing functional foods.
With stevia in their arsenals, product developers can now delve into a newly developed niche: low-calorie, all-natural functional foods. The body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms, so there is no caloric intake. Also, stevia doesn’t adversely affect blood glucose levels and may be used freely by diabetics.
A question of purity
The Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to Central and South America, and now also cultivated in China, has long been known in natural-products circles for its sweet taste. The stevia-based sweetener approved as GRAS by FDA is rebaudioside-A (reb-A), generally considered the best-tasting steviol glycoside of the several present in the plant.
Processors extract reb-A from stevia, and the purity of the extracted reb-A dictates its flavor nuances, with less-pure extracts displaying metallic and licorice notes, and highly pure extracts coming in with a much-cleaner flavor profile. Although reb-A extracts are available in a range of purities, highly pure (99%) reb-A is the hallmark.
“If a product contains steviosides or other steviol glycosides, taste will be compromised,” says Cecilia McCollum, executive vice president, Blue California, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.
Before selecting a stevia-derived ingredient, manufacturers “need to know the difference in the various stevia products available to them, including the chemicals used in the extraction process and the residual chemicals and alcohols remaining in the powdered stevia extract,” says James A. May, founder and president, Wisdom Natural Brands, Gilbert, AZ. He points to methanol and ethanol as extraction chemicals that can negatively impact a stevia ingredient’s flavor, while citing purified water as a less-obtrusive extraction medium. “At least at this point in time, formulators need to investigate the sources and purity of the stevia extracts available to them,” he says.
Purity and quality standards for stevia-derived ingredients have been set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (see jecfa.ilsi.org/evaluation.cfm?chemical=steviol%20glycosides for complete details).
Application details
Reb-A is 200 to 400 times sweeter than sucrose and is highly light- and heat-stable. According to Varuzhan Abelyan, Ph.D., corporate vice president, R&D and process innovation, PureCircle, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reb-A is most stable in solution at pH 4 to 8.
To keep a functional food “natural,” formulators can pair sugar, corn syrup and/or fructose with reb-A to design reduced-calorie products, or use reb-A as the sole sweetener. Stevia, notes May, “possesses a high level synergy with virtually all other sweeteners.” Erythritol, a natural polyol, is another option, and can augment sweetness levels without contributing significant caloric levels (0.2 calories per gram). Including citric and malic acid can improve sweetness perception and flavor. Reb-A extracts with lower purity often require a masking agent to deliver acceptable product flavor. Some reb-A manufacturers are working hand-in-hand with flavor houses to develop application-specific flavor-sweetener systems to streamline the R&D process.
“Stevia extract can be used anywhere sugar or any artificial sweetener would be used,” says May. “It can be used in cooking or baking. However, it does not brown.” If Malliard browning or caramelization is desired, a reducing sugar must be used in conjunction in the proper ratio, he notes.
Since reb-A generally replaces sugar but has a much-higher sweetness level, a bulking agent, such as erythritol, inulin or dextrose, may be required in products like baked goods. Selecting inulin as a bulking agent has the added benefit of contributing a prebiotic effect, a plus for formulators developing functional foods.
Omega-3 Slows Age-Related Macular Dengeneration
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by reducing retinal lesions, according to a new study appearing in the August issue of the American Journal of Pathology.
Sources:
Nutrition Horizon: Omega 3 Linked to AMD Prevention
Sources:
Nutrition Horizon: Omega 3 Linked to AMD Prevention
Climate Change Threatens California Fruits,Nuts
DAVIS, Calif.—California’s fruit and nut crops may be threatened by climate change as winter temperatures increase, interrupting the natural climatic triggers for many crops, according to a new study from the University of California, Davis and the University of Washington.
Researchers concluded that the tree crop industry in California likely will need to develop agricultural adaptation measures to cope with the projected changes—for some crops, production may no longer be possible.
Sources:
PLoS ONE: Climatic Changes Lead to Declining Winter Chill for Fruit and Nut Trees in California during 1950–2099
Researchers concluded that the tree crop industry in California likely will need to develop agricultural adaptation measures to cope with the projected changes—for some crops, production may no longer be possible.
Sources:
PLoS ONE: Climatic Changes Lead to Declining Winter Chill for Fruit and Nut Trees in California during 1950–2099
Onglyza Approved by FDA for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
The FDA approved a new oral medication to treat type 2 diabetes. Onglyza (saxagliptin) is from the same class of drugs as Januvia, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) that has been on the market for two years. Onglyza is meant to be taken once daily, and works like Januvia does, by slowing digestion and stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin.
According to a press release from the FDA, the most common side effects observed with Onglyza are upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache. Other side effects include allergic-like reactions such as rash and hives.
According to a press release from the FDA, the most common side effects observed with Onglyza are upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache. Other side effects include allergic-like reactions such as rash and hives.
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