Posts Tagged ‘supplements’

Vitamins & Nutrition Supplements

In a society full of chemical laden, high calorie, high fat, low nutritional value convenience foods, vitamins & nutrition supplements are becoming more than just a “health nut” trend. Healthy, nutritional vitamins have become an absolute necessity.

A deficiency of vitamins K, E, and C, along with essential fatty acids can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Vitamin C deficiency can cause easy bleeding and bruising, hair and tooth loss, joint pain and swelling. These symptoms appear to be related to the weakening of blood vessels, connective tissue, and bone, which contain collagen.

Too little vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, or a weakening of the skeletal system, due to compromised calcium absorption. D vitamin deficiency can also cause muscle weakness and cancer.

Blindness is one result of a diet lacking vitamin A. This type of deficiency has also been linked to immune system disorders and birth mortalities.

B vitamins can cause a whole slew of health challenges when not present in our bodies. Mental and emotional challenges, including depression (to the point of suicide), anxiety, and paranoia are at the forefront of these challenges. Insomnia, heart palpitations, indigestion, and overall soreness can also result from a lack of B vitamin complex.

These are just a few examples of some potential consequences of neglecting our nutrition. These examples only really pertain to vitamins, which are merely the tip of a grand iceberg. Chelated Minerals, Phytonutrients, Probiotics, Proteins, Fatty Acids, Antioxidants, Amino Acids, and other nutritional MUSTS will wreak even more havoc on us if in short supply.

Our current diets are not enough.

Vitamins & Nutrition Supplements can restore and ensure great physical health, perfect mental & emotional balance, heaps of quality energy, superb immune system function, and a dramatic reduction in pain, stiffness, and fear. Our skin, hair, and nails will look youthful and vibrant. Our excess body fat will melt away. We will look fantastic! We will also experience an inner peace that can only come from a knowing that everything is going to be okay.

It really is a dramatic shift. Please do NOT overlook the importance of optimal nutrition.

The absolute best vitamins & nutrition supplements to buy are whole-food supplements which contain all of the “must-have” elements I mentioned above. Skip the synthetic, over-the-counter drugstore garbage. Go to your local health food store. They’ll have what you’re looking for. The drugstore won’t.

You can see the supplement I personally use by CLICKING HERE. It does it all, and I believe it to be the very best. Take a peek and see if you agree.

A daily Green Drink regimine is also highly recommended.

Thank you for reading.

Food for Men: 10 Foods to Boost Male Health

Foods men should include in their diets to improve health and prevent disease.

By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic- Expert Column

Men are different from women in all kinds of ways — including their nutritional needs. Just as women need particular nutrients during pregnancy or for protection from breast cancer, men need nutrients that can help them maintain muscle mass, prevent prostate cancer, and more.

Many foods that tend to be favorites among men are not the best choices for good health. Yet a healthy diet and regular physical activity can help prevent heart disease and cancer, the No. 1 and No. 2 killers for men over 35. They can also enhance performance, from the board room to the bedroom.

Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, notes that any food that is good for the cardiovascular system is also good for erectile function in men.

“Nutrients that are good for the heart improve circulation to all parts of the body, and these same nutrients provide a layer of protection against cancer and other chronic diseases,” says Gerbstadt, a Florida-based physician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Quality nutrients are also critical for maintaining immune function and preventing bone loss, muscle loss, and oxidative damage from the environment, Of course, any one (or 10) foods can’t do the job alone. An overall healthy lifestyle, which also includes not smoking and getting regular physical activity, is what’s really important for health, say the experts.

“It is not about one single food or even a handful of foods. What is more important is the pattern of regularly consuming a diet rich in a variety of essential nutrients,” says Joy Bauer, MS, RD, author of Joy Bauer’s Food Cures and Today Show nutrition expert.

Still, adding nutrient-rich super foods to the diet, as well as taking a daily multivitamin designed exclusively for men (for nutritional insurance), can give men’s nutrition a boost, says Dave Grotto, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesman.

With the help of the experts, WebMD came up with this list of 10 disease-fighting foods that can be a good start to improving health:

Food for Men No. 1: Oysters

Could there be something to the legend that oysters are the food of love? Well, it’s true that just a few oysters each day will deliver a full day’s supply of the antioxidant mineral zinc. Zinc is involved in hundreds of body processes, from producing DNA to repairing cells.

“Research shows that adequate zinc may protect against cellular damage that leads to prostate cancer,” says Grotto. “Sexual functioning of the male reproductive system, including increased sperm counts, is also enhanced with zinc.”

You can also get your daily recommended dose of 11 milligrams a day by eating other shellfish, lean beef, lean pork, or legumes.

Food for Men No. 2: Bananas

Bananas are a great portable source of quick energy and are rich in potassium, which is needed to regulate nerves, heartbeat and, especially, blood pressure. Diets rich in potassium and magnesium (which is also found in bananas) can reduce the risk of stroke.

As a super source of vitamin B-6, bananas can also aid your immune system, help form red blood cells, ensure a well-functioning nervous system, and assist protein metabolism. So enjoy a banana each day, at breakfast on your whole grain-cereal or before your workout at the gym.

Not a banana fan? Orange juice, milk, tomato products, and beans are other good sources of dietary potassium.

Food for Men No. 3: Fatty Fish

No list of superfoods would be complete without the healthy fat, omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fats are the preferred form of fats in your diet for many reasons. They can benefit the heart, circulation, and immune system and reduce the risk for prostate cancer, among other things.

Staying Healthy with Liquid Vitamins

Vitamins are needed in preserving a fit regimen and stopping specific diseases. Vitamins are commonly in capsule shapes. However, you can also opt to consume liquid vitamins. As the name indicates, the vitamins are really in liquid form. The liquid vitamins are then taken in by your body. Some people are not familiar with the advantages of taking liquid vitamins. Read on to understand more how liquid vitamins can improve your physical well-being.

Compared to tablet vitamins, a liquid vitamin is very easy to metabolize. It is better taken into one’s form. Pills function by using binders and fillers to preserve its entire structure.Your body will have some difficulty attempting to breakdown these binders and fillers. The problem leads to the needed nutrients being taken out of the body instead of their absorption.Liquid vitamins do the contrary. All the nutrients are readily placed into the body. The liquid form of the vitamins does not need binders to keep the entire form. Studies have shown the success of liquid vitamins. Their absorption capacity is around 98 to 99 %. Vitamin pills only absorb 10 to 20 percent. The liquid shape is readily placed into the blood stream as opposed to the pill shape.

Its liquid form also allows it to be easily part of the digestive system. The digestive system actually prefers absorbing vitamins and minerals from liquid. It has a more difficult time with nutrients in capsule shapes. The easy absorption ofthe liquid vitamin enables your body to contain a higher amount of vitamins.

Some people may be disheartened by the high price of liquid vitamins. However, the expensive cost just shows the vitamin’s high quality. You get your money’s worth, unlike expensive medicine vitamins whichyour body cannot fully consume. You can buy a big amount of liquid vitamins without feeling cheated.

Liquid vitamins are also a high source for vitamins A, C, and E. The liquid vitamins have these so that they will be just as efficient as the capsule vitamins. The mentioned vitamins are not made by the body but are still needed from our diet. Without these vitamins our body isn’t sufficient enough to fight certain conditions. One will also be weaker and have less endurance for daily activities.

Liquid vitamins are a practical asset to the potential of your long-term well-being. Unlike tablet vitamins, you can pour them in a glass and have them with your daily meals. This will decrease the likelihood of you forgetting to consume the vitamins. Vitamins play a crucial function in maintaining your health. Besides a proper food regimen and workouts, you have to have the vitamins to work against dangerous environmental influences. Nutrients will also enable you the strength to keep physically fit and enhance the healthy meals you eat. Consuming the appropriate liquid vitamins will give you the complete results of these benefits. Begin looking around local and online pharmacies for accessible liquid vitamins. You will not regret choosing this healthy option.

Vitamin Solutions For All Your Skin Problems

Vitamins are a very important skin care ingredient whether you include them in your diet or if you apply them topically in the form of kin care products. There are a variety of vitamin enriched skin care products available in the market in the form of serums and creams. And they can provide relief against all major skin concerns you may have.

Problem: Wrinkles & Fine lines

Solution: Vitamin A

Wrinkles and fine lines are the prime sign of aging and skin damage. And if you haven’t done much to prevent it, its about time you treat it effectively. Use anti aging skin care products containing retinoids. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A also available in the form of Retin-A and Renova. Retinols can help stimulate the collagen production within the skin cells. As a result, the kin becomes smooth and supple. Try NIA 24 Skin Strengthening Complex. It is a superb cream that is neither too light nor too heavy. There is a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines with regular use. This is because it enhances the barrier function of your skin and accelerates the repair process by supplying moisture.

Problem: Sensitive skin with a Dull Complexion

Solution: Vitamin B3

People with sensitive skin are advised to avoid using exfoliating products containing harsh ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid. However, it is still important to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin cells that form a dull complexion. Therefore, use mild exfoliating products that contain ingredients like Vitamin B3 or niacinamide, a derivative of Niacin. Unlike chemical exfoliators, Vitamin B3 is less acidic in nature and so, don’t cause any irritations. Use Nia 24 Physical Cleansing Scrub. It removes dead skin cells and calms, hydrates as well as soothes the skin. Pro-Niasomes wash away visible imperfections caused by the sun and aging.

Problem: Sun Damage

Solution: Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that prevents the damage caused by free radicals protects the skin against them. Free radicals are responsible for a variety of skin problems right from hyperpigmentation to even skin cancer. However, by using a a concentration of about 10% Vitamin C in a skin care product, you can protect yourself from any sun damage including sun burns, tanning and premature aging of the skin. Use a Vitamin C enriched serum everyday in addition to the sunscreen and you will notice a significant reduction in discoloration. Try Kinerase Cream, an anti-aging cream that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the skin’s capacity to retain moisture. Kinerase cream contains Kinetin, a plant based agent that helps the skin retain moisture.

Problem: Dry and Rough Skin

Solution:Vitamin B5 or Vitamin E

Both Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E have excellent moisturizing abilities. Also, they are powerful antioxidants that eliminate the damage caused by free radicals and keep your skin protected. Because they are mild, they are ideal for people with sensitive skin. Try iS Clinical Firming Complex by Innovative Skincare. It contains natural fruit acids, antioxidants, and bio-nutrients to increase skin firmness to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. At the same time, it encourages skin regeneration at the cellular level and controls acne.

Problem: Dark Under Eye Circles

Solution: Vitamin K, Retinol & Vitamin C

Dark circles under the eyes are a major concern among women. They can be caused because of a variety of reasons including lack of sleep, poor treatment of skin on the eye contours, sun damage and so on. The tiny capillaries under the skin break and the blood clot is what causes the dark color. And the best treatment for this is Vitamin K because of its excellent ability to help against blood coagulation. Use a night eye cream that has effective ingredients that will nourish the under eye skin and lighten the dark circles. Try using Skin Care Heaven Eye Serum. It reduces the the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles along with dark circles and puffiness. This eye serum is enhanced with powerful antioxidants from green tea and hydrated with Hyaluronic Acid.

By Naomi Andrews

Naomi Andrews is an expert esthetician and skin care professional. She has extensive experience of managing spas and doing laser treatments, facials and chemical peels. She believes that every women can achieve healthy skin by practicing a good skin care regimen and makes suggestions for dry and sensitive skin care and so on.

Best Vitamins for Women

The nutrients which regulate the process of body-metabolism, involving various chemical reactions, are known as vitamins. Some vitamins help you get glowing skin and long hair, while some charge the battery of your body with lot of energy and some are responsible for preventing excessive weight gain. Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K are the main types of vitamins. Our body uses the fat soluble vitamins as per requirement, as they can be stored in the body. Water soluble vitamins travel through the bloodstream and are not stored in the body and so they need to be refilled daily.

A well balanced diet can fulfill the body’s demand of vitamins and minerals and can assure good health. Vitamin deficiency can lead to various disorders and even to serious diseases. Men, women, children, everyone requires all types of vitamins, so actually, all vitamins are best vitamins for women. A woman’s body has to undergo various changes during the onset of puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause etc. These changes make their bodies prone to certain illnesses. Moreover, as one ages, the type and quantity of vitamins required by the body may change. Here is an overview of all the best vitamins for women to take.

Best Vitamins for Women

Vitamin A: Vitamin A regulates the tissues and maintains healthy bones, keeping the skin, eye, bone and teeth healthy. Vitamin A is found in milk, egg yolk, carrots, leafy vegetables, oranges, lime and pineapple. Along with boosting the immune system, it protects the eyesight. The recommended intake of vitamin A for women is about 5,000 IU (international units) per day, with at least 20% of this being beta-carotene.

Vitamin B: Vitamin B is crucial in almost all activities of the body, as it supplies the energy. The following are the types of vitamin B.

• Vitamin B1: Vitamin B1is known as thiamine, which strengthens the body’s immune system. With respect to the proper supply of B1, the brain and the nervous system can function more efficiently. It helps in the metabolism of food so that the body receives the required energy for all activities.
• Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2 is known as riboflavin and it produces energy through chemical reactions. Lack of riboflavin often makes women feel sluggish and tired.
• Vitamin B3: Vitamin B3 is known as niacin which controls high cholesterol and is responsible for increasing woman’s energy.
• Vitamin B5: Vitamin B5 is known as pantothenic acid and it strengthens the body’s immune system.
• Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is known as pyridoxine and it protects the arteries. It helps to regulate the hormone levels and by working on woman’s brain chemicals, it boosts the immunity. Vitamin B6 can prevent heart disease in later life. Women should have 2 mg of vitamin B6 daily.
• Vitamin B9: Vitamin B9 is known as folic acid and it is responsible for the formation of the red blood cells which maintain the energy levels. Folic acid is important to women of child bearing years as it prevents birth defects in earlier days of pregnancy. It prevents neural tube or spinal cord birth defects in the first 28 days of pregnancy. It prevents anemia and boosts normal cell growth. Women need 400 mcg per day. Pregnant women need 600 mcg per day. Breastfeeding mothers need 500 mcg per day.
• Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is known as cyanocobalamin and it helps absorb foods to produce energy. It helps retain nerve function and memory and also relieves depression. It may prevent heart diseases in later life. Women need 2.4 mg of Vitamin B12 per day.
• Biotin: Biotin facilitates both fat and protein metabolism and thus helps convert food into energy.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is required for all types of cellular functions like tissue formation and maintenance of the cell membranes. It also converts food into energy. It is present in citrus fruits and vegetables, like oranges, lime, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, peppers and cabbage.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D boosts the health of the bones and teeth. Milk, egg yolk, salmon and other seafood are packed with vitamin D. In women it prevents osteoporosis. Vitamin D is helpful in reducing the chances of colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E plays an important role in hair growth, tissue healing and other metabolic processes. It protects the tissues of the eyes, skin and liver. It is present in nearly all types of fruits and vegetables. It is a very important antioxidant for women. Women need 400-800IU (international units) according to age. Vitamin E offers good reproductive health to women and also helps promote healthy skin, nails, and hair. It prevents cataracts, heart diseases and cancer too.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is essential for coagulation and/or clotting of blood. Dairy products, soybean and green leafy vegetables are packed with vitamin K. It is good for the bones and prevents heart diseases in women. Women need up to 90 mcg per day of Vitamin K.

After knowing about all the necessary vitamins, we can now have a look at the specific vitamins for different age groups.

Best Vitamins for Women in their 20s

For women in twenties, there is still 10% more growth to deal with. Vitamin D and calcium is required to get the most out of your body later in life. Calcium (600 mg daily) builds bone mass leading to strong bones. This can prevent osteoporosis later in life. Vitamin D (1000 IU daily) enhances the absorption of calcium by the body. These are the years more susceptible to mood swings and depression, because of the changing hormones. Vitamin supplements like fish oil capsules (1 to 2 g daily) containing omega 3 fatty acids can enhance the flow of brain chemicals like serotonin which help fight your mood swings.

Best Vitamins for Women in their 30s

Women in their 30s may suffer from iron deficiency leading to fatigue. Grape seed oil helps to avoid signs of aging. Grape seed oil supplement(100-400 mg daily) is an antioxidant protecting the elastin and collagin, healing your skin. Along with iron (27 mg daily) and grape seed oil, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K help to keep your skin smooth and supple. Zinc (15-30 mg daily), folic acid (400mcg/day), Vitamin B6 (50mg/day), B12 (50mcg/day), Vitamin C (1000mg/day) and vitamin E (15 mg daily), selenium (55-100 mcg/day) are the best vitamins for women trying to get pregnant. Folic acid prevents birth defects and is present in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli. Vitamin B is good for reproductive health. Vitamin C and E increases the chance of conceiving. Prenatal supplements and best multivitamin for women are recommended by the doctors and are easily available in market.

Best Vitamins for Women in their 40s

Women in their 40s suffer from more stress as they try to juggle careers, families and increased number of responsibilities. They feel tired and run down. Higher level of cortisol is noticed in women in their 40s which leads to weight gain and increases the risk of cancer. The body metabolism starts to slow down after the age of 40. Along with anti aging vitamin C (1000 mg daily), if you add chromium (25 mg daily), it can keep your blood sugar stable and can control your weight. Vitamins A, B6, C and E, bioflavonoids, inositol, lycopene and zinc are the vitamins and minerals beneficial for immune system support. If you consult your physician, he can prescribe some best vitamins for women to take during their 40s.

Best Vitamins for Women in their 50s

According to the statistics, about 78% women in their 50s can have breast cancer. Taking 500 mg green tea extract having EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) daily, can lower the risk of breast cancer by 13-15%. With increased intake of Arginine (1-3 mg daily), you can beat hot flashes during menopause. Best vitamin supplements for women are available in market which can help you fight menopause and the related disorders.

Best Vitamins for Women in their 60s

Niacin (35 mg daily) can help you control the cholesterol level. It helps reduce harmful fat and it also increases the good cholesterol level. If you maintain the magnesium level (325 mg daily), then your blood pressure will also be under control. Multivitamin supplements are recommended to maintain energy levels.

I hope this article provides you all the required information about the best vitamins for women and it is safe to conclude that vitamins, which form an important part of your diet, should be consumed in proper proportions daily, if you want to enjoy a healthy life.

By Leena Palande