Archive for July, 2008

Jul 31 2008

Organic Foods Equal Improved Health

Published by Admin under Nutrition

Organic food is food that is free from all genetically modified organisms, produced without artificial pesticides and fertilizers and derived from an animal reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs. Once only available in small stores or farmers’ markets, organic foods are becoming much more widely available

Organic foods have been shown to improve your immune system, help you sleep better, shed the excess weight more easily, and improve your blood work just to name a few.  Organic food can boast intense, realistic flavors, and a higher vitamin and mineral content.

And though logically it makes sense to consume a diet based on organic foods, some worry about the cost. But with careful planning and preparation, going organic is actually quite affordable. And, the peace of mind knowing you and your family are consuming foods that haven’t been treated with pesticides or genetically altered is worth the extra money spent.

The pesticides used by conventional farmers can have many negative influences on your health, including neurotoxicity, disruption of your endocrine system, carcinogenicity and immune system suppression. Pesticide exposure may also affect male reproductive function and has been linked to miscarriages in women. Additionally, conventional produce tends to have fewer nutrients than organic produce. On average, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic produce. Studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and significantly less nitrates (a toxin) in organic crops.

So it’s a smart idea to buy and eat organic produce and free-range organic foods as much as possible for maximum health benefits.  In addition, the knowledge that you’re supporting the organic foods industry that is dedicated to protecting the environment by steering clear of harmful pesticides and chemicals that can result in the loss of topsoil, toxic runoff and resulting water pollution, soil contamination and poisoning and the death of insects, birds, critters and beneficial soil organisms should help you feel even better.

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Jul 31 2008

Should You Take Multi-Vitamins

Published by Admin under Vitamins

A multivitamin is a supplement that you can take that has many different types of vitamins and minerals in it. It is important because if you don’t have time to be taking all of the separate vitamins, you might not be getting all that you need. If you are able to take a good multivitamin, you will find that you are getting the recommended daily allowance and that you are healthier.

Multivitamins are also important because they might help you avoid getting too much of certain vitamins or minerals. They are made with certain doses in mind, and they are made to create a situation in which you are getting just enough of a certain vitamin or mineral. If you simply take the one a day multivitamin as it is instructed, you are going to find that it is impossible for you to get too much and therefore that fear is avoided.

There are several different types of multivitamins that are made for different groups of people. The reason that we need to take vitamins and minerals is that our bodies are not capable of producing all of the vitamins and minerals that we need, and these usually are supplemented from food. However, there are many situations today where people don’t’ get the right kind of balanced diets that they need, and they are going to end up with vitamin deficiencies. Therefore, taking a multivitamin is going to allow you to get all of the vitamins that you need.

You might be a part of several different groups that need multivitamins. These usually include groups that are at a high risk for not getting the kind of nutritional support that is needed, such as the elderly, those prone to sickness, or those with allergies that prevent them from eating certain foods. If you are pregnant or nursing, you are also going to find that you might need some multivitamins to make sure that you are getting all of the healthy aspects that you can for your child.

Remember that like with anything, certain multivitamins are made to handle certain things and they have different kinds of vitamins included in them. It is very important that you follow the directions on the multivitamins and that you are taking them exactly as instructed, because even though vitamins are good for you, too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing.

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Jul 31 2008

Healthy Rapid Weight Loss

Published by Admin under Weight Loss

The benefits of an extreme rapid weight loss is probably something that most would find appealing. To attain a healthy rapid weight loss you should look at all of the quick weight loss diet guides and judge each by their own merits.

Some rapid weight loss diets declare that they can help you lose lots of weight in a matter of days. This reason for this rapid weight loss does of course come at a price; you are limited to eating only select fruit and vegetables only. You can either cook these or just eat them raw, the choice is yours.

Should you choose to cook your fruit and vegetables you will have to look at your cooking methods. It is no good going on a rapid weight loss diet if you are going to use a load of oil, grease, and fats in your cooking process.

So what’s the best diet for rapid weight loss? The answer to that question is I’m afraid going to be down to you, everybody’s body is different. Because of this different results will be seen from each rapid weight loss diet. Don’t give up if you don’t succeed on your first attempt; try a different quick weight loss diet.

Lastly, do these rapid weight loss diets really work, and are there any symptoms of rapid weight loss? With all diets you are recommended to consult your doctor first, rapid weight loss diets are no different. After your successful rapid weight loss diet you should try to maintain a constant healthy everyday diet to keep the weight off.

Visit my Site now at http://www.womensweightloss.org to read anything you ever wanted to know about Weight loss.

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Jul 31 2008

Why Liquid Vitamins?

Published by Admin under Vitamins

Liquid vitamins are best. Why? Well, for one thing, they are absorbed up to 10X more than solid vitamins. Solid vitamins must be broken down into their component parts and then absorbed. Liquid vitamins are already in solution, so they are more usable for the body.

Another reason to use liquid vitamins is convenience. Liquid vitamins are easier to take than solid vitamins. Anyone who has looked at and then choked down a handful of pills can testify to that fact.

Another bonus to liquid vitamins is that you can add them to water or juice and sip them throughout the day. This keeps on ongoing measure of vitamins entering your system. This is much better than overwhelming the system with more nutrition that it can effectively handle at one time and then denying it any more nutrition for the rest of the day. Think of an hourglass?only so much goes through at one time. Similarly your body can only use so much at one time.

A final plus is cost. To get enough in solid vitamins, you need to buy a bottle of this, of that, and then the other. With liquid vitamins, you have one bottle and if it is the right bottle, you might not need much more except maybe a good oil or some protein.

Simplicity is another key. If you take multiple bottles of this and that, you have to think about what you have taken and open and close a number of bottles. This is a real nuisance as anyone who has had to do very much of it can testify.

Liquid vitamins?it is the only way to go. I rest my case for liquid vitamins.

Cheryl Jones has been investigating alternative and holistic health solutions for over 30 years and has access to information published generally in advance of mass media publications. [http://www.vitaminfriendly.com]vitaminfriendly.com

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Jul 31 2008

The Newbies Guide to Minerals

Published by Admin under Minerals

What are minerals?

Without minerals, vitamins are literally worthless. Our body is unable to process vitamins without the help of minerals. Minerals are inorganic compounds which are essential for the structural composition of hard and soft tissue, like our teeth, bones, muscles and even blood and nerve cells. Minerals, which are essential for the overall physical and mental welfare of the body, are basically catalysts which help in several important body reactions like muscle contractions, message transmission in the nervous system, production of hormones, to name a few.

Can our body produce minerals?

No. Like some vitamins, our body cannot make minerals. Minerals have to be provided through the diet or dietary supplements. Minerals can be classified into two types: The major elements or the macro minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine, and potassium; and trace minerals or micro minerals like copper, cobalt, manganese, fluorine, and zinc. Minerals are required in minute quantities and usually a well balanced and healthy diet will meet the necessary requirement. However, some people may need to take a supplement to meet their bodies’ requirement.

Important minerals and their sources

Calcium is required for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Over 90% of calcium is contained in the bones and teeth, from where it is reabsorbed by the blood and issues. The primary source of calcium is milk and milk products.

Phosphorous is important to release energy from carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. It combines with calcium in our bones and teeth. It can also be found in milk.

Magnesium aids bone growth and also aids the function of nerves and muscles, including regulation of normal heart rhythm. It also maintains the electrical circuitry in the nerves and muscle cell and is extremely important for metabolism. It is found abundantly in a variety of foods.

Sodium is found in many natural foods and also found in cooked foods in the form of added dietary salt. Excessive sodium in the body can cause edema, or water retention

Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, the pigment in our red blood cells which transports oxygen. Women are usually deficient in iron and have to resort to iron supplements. It is found abundant in leafy green vegetables.

Iodine deficiency can lead to goiter, which is a swelling of this gland located in the lower neck. Salt is usually fortified with iodine.

Jack Smith writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intact, the bio remains in full and the rel=’nofollow’ tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you - Please visit [http://www.article-hub.com]Article-Hub For more great vitamin articles.

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