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Archive for the 'Vitamins and Minerals' Category

This Test Can Tell You A Lot About Yourself

December 30, 2008, Author: Healthy_Life
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Find out what medical conditions you suffer from. A person who has or is prone to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or vasculitis will benefit from a CRP or c-reactive protein test. This procedure measures the amount of a protein in the blood and checks for flare-ups.This blood test is done by taking a blood sample from a vein on the back of your hand, or the inside of your elbow.  The sample will then be mixed with an antiserum liquid that has substances which look for the precise c-reactive protein. Avoid interpreting the results yourself though. It is best that your doctor read the results to you.

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With our lives normally busy as it is with the Holiday season upon us it is even more important that we do all we can to avoid becoming run down from shopping or even worse getting ill. Both of these conditions will definitely put a damper on our plans but maybe these few tips to stay healthy this Holiday season will keep you on track and enjoy this festive time of year.

The first tip is one that a lot of people can easily do but seem to forget. This is to watch, listen, or at least if your cell phone is capable to see what your local forcast is going to be for the day. How many times have you seen someone out in the cold, wet, or snow with no type of jacket or weather protection clothing to keep them warm or dry? Even  aquick trip out to the car in the cold weather can be a jolt to your immune system. Later that day you could feel the sniffles coming on and you know what is in store for you next!

The second tip to stay healthy this Holiday season is to be well aware if someone around you is sneezing or coughing. Are they coughing into their hands or using a kleenex of some sort. If they sneeze into their hands and then go and grasp a door knob to open a door they are possible spreading their cold to anyone that touches the doorknob. Maybe they are at the water cooler and touch the dispensing knob for a glass of hot water for some tea they still are spreading possible germs to the entire office. If possible politely tell this person to wipe what they touch with a disinfectant wipe to avoid spreading germs.

One vital tip to stay healthy this Holiday season is to make sure you are getting the proper healthy vitamin and mineral supplements. It is very easy with all the extra hustle and bustle during this time of year to forget or unable to eat healthy and get a proper nutritional diet. Maybe you are getting invited to parties or getting together with friends you have not seen all year long. The weeks go by in a blur and before you know it you are looking at New Years. Without your vitamin and mineral supplements to keep your immune system in top working order you could be in for a bout with the flu or  a sinus cold that does not want to go away and can quickly turn into putting a huge damper on your Holiday plans.

These tips to stay healthy for this Holiday season may not seem to be anything Earth shattering but they are just a few simple ideas that when you are in a hurry to get things done can quickly be forgotten. If just one of these tips helps you stay healthy throughout this Holiday season then we have accomplish what we set out to do. That is to help people out so they can fully enjoy what this time of year is truly about.

Don’t Neglect your Need for Vitamin and mineral supplements

November 18, 2008, Author: Healthy_Life

maintaining your healthWith the fast pace of life, people neglect to eat properly. Since everybody is always on the run, it is more convenient to turn to fast food for sustenance. But unhealthy eating may have huge consequences later on.

That is why many experts recommend taking vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure good nutrition. Fast food may be filling, but it is not nourishing. Get complete nutrition from supplements to protect you against diseases.

vitamin-and-mineral-supplements.jpgThe human body digests foods more easily that are naturally found in nature. Most synthetically produced vitamin and mineral supplements are chemical combinations that cannot be found in nature, so the human body does not recognize these ingredients which may result in unwanted reactions. Your body certainly knows the difference between real and fake, and it always prefers real.

Consumers need a better way to choose products that are healthier and easier for the body to absorb and metabolize. Not all synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements are totally useless. Like other pharmaceutical drugs, some of these synthetics have their place in emergency health situations. But many of these man made synthetics are also unhealthy with naturally occurring vitamins and minerals found in USDA certified organic foods and 100% plant or food-based supplements are  so much better. Labeling these man made synthetic supplements as “natural” or “all natural” is consumer fraud plain and simple. Consumers have every right to know if the vitamin or mineral supplement they are buying is synthetic or are truly made of naturally occurring ingredients.

Many companies are not being clear on their labels and other literature that they use a medium of fermented or mixture of foods that have been diluted with man made synthetic vitamins. Many products contain synthetic vitamins which are put into supplements that we purchase even though the label may say “all natural.” An easy way to tell is to check out the RDA. If the potency is higher than anything you would find in nature  like for example 1000% Daily Recommended Allowance of Vitamin C per serving, the product contains synthetically produced ingredients, no matter what the producer of that product might claim.

 So take this information and learn to tell the difference between real and fake vitamin and mineral supplements. Tell all your friends too that it is vital that all of us start to realize that some companies only produce products that will turn a profit at any cost to the consumer. Yes, there is nothing wrong with making a profit as that is why companies are in business. If we learn how to distinguish between the companies that care about our bodies we can maybe eliminate the ones that do not.

Alligin and the Fight Against MRSA

September 9, 2008, Author: Green4Me

alligin.jpgAlligin a product that helps support and strengthen your immune system contains Allicin(from garlic) and ginger. These two natural products have been known for over 5,000 years as medicine and health promoters.

Perhaps Allicin’s most vital power in more modern times of antibiotic-resistant germs and ever-new microbial diseases (SARS, MRSA, West Nile encephalitis virus, AIDS…) is its amazing wide range of antimicrobial activity. A study done in 1999 supports that fact that a most bacteria is sensitive to Allicin.

Stabilized Allicin is made in the same way that Allicin from fresh garlic is formed when we bite into it. But this Allicin only lasts for a few seconds. For the first time garlic’s active component (Allicin) can be captured and delivered directly where your body needs it. This patented process ensures us that large scale quantities of stable Allicin can be produced.

Nearly five percent of patients in U.S. hospitals may have acquired a particular antibiotic resistant staph infection, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Researchers surveyed a total of 1,200 hospitals and other health care facilities from all 50 states, and found 8,000 patients infected or colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — or 46 out of every 1,000! This leads us to believe that up to 1.2 million hospital patients from coast to coast could be infected each and every year.

Colonized patients found to be carrying the bacteria on or in their bodies, but who had not showed any indications of contacting disease.

“This rate is between eight and 11 times greater than previous MRSA estimates,” APIC wrote.

The majority of the infections had originated within the medical facility itself with a huge 67 percent coming from patients being treated for general medical conditions (such as diabetes or pulmonary or cardiovascular problems) and not the intensive care patients.

APIC recommended easy and common sense measures, like washing your hands, to prevent the spread of MRSA within medical institutions. A number of studies have shown that a good number of health care workers do not always wash their hands on a consistent basis.

“Hand hygiene is the most important means of preventing the spread of infection,” said APIC President Denise Murphy.

MRSA is resistant to all forms of penicillin, which has earned it the phrase of “superbug.” Because of its resistance to drugs, the fatality rate is twice that as other staph infections.

In 1974, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 2 percent of the staph infections occurring in medical facilities were cases of MRSA; in 2004, the estimate had risen almost to 63 percent.

While conventional medicine seems to be stumped by this antibiotic resistant infection, the world of natural medicine has known how to beat such infections for many thousands of years. With the Alligin product we can fight these stubborn deseases and get back to the natural healthy ways of the past. 

The Secret of Neptune Krill Oil

August 30, 2008, Author: Green4Me

krill-oil.jpgNeptune Krill Oil is said to have protection for a healthy heart, lipid levels, energy production, joints and other body systems even in some cases eases PMS symptoms. Can this be true? How can Neptune Krill Oil be so healthy and yet be like supercharged fish oil - with very low rancidity, no dangerous heavy metals or pesticides, and a highly absorbable form of Omega-3 fatty acids. Let’s look at little closer and find out some interesting facts.

 Neptune Krill Oil is a remarkable product with omega-3 essential fatty acids - EPA and DHA - that are essential for building healthy cell membranes.  Neptune Krill Oil also has antioxidant supplement protection. In human studies, Neptune Krill Oil has been shown to help maintain cholesterol in the normal range. 

When it comes to inflamation the results of a study have shown that Neptune Krill Oil, at a daily dose of 300 mg, may significantly inhibit body inflamation by reducing C-reactive protein (CRP).  After Neptune Krill Oil was taken in doses of 300 mg/day for periods of 7, 14, and 30 days, CRP was significantly reduced by 19.3%, 29.7% and 30.9% respectively.

Woman’s World said: “Krill oil is so potent, women who took it for three months reported a 51% boost in energy, alertness, memory, concentration and stamina in a recent Canadian study.  And almost 100% described having a greater sense of well-being and happiness — plus a 31% reduction in aches and pains!” This study was comparing Neptune Krill Oil to standard fish oil with doses based on the the persons body mass index.

The healthy long term effects of Krill Oil have been evaluated with a 6-month animal study using mice. Six months in mice lifespan is equivalent to 27 human years.  The mice were fed krill oil amounting to 16.6% of their daily diet. Human equivalent dosage corresponds to 23.1 grams of krill oil or 7 – 11 times the recommended dose. No adverse effects were reported. No pathological findings upon examination of brain, lungs, heart, stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, uterus / prostate, intestine, or skin. 

The results of the present toxicity evaluations confirm that Neptune Krill Oil can be reliably considered as safe for human consumption even at 2 to 3 times the highest recommended dose.

Note: People with a known allergy to fish products or seafood were not tested in this study. Use precautions in the case of fish or seafood allergies, please consult a professional allergist prior to the taking of Neptune Krill Oil.

How to Make a Healthy Pizza

August 28, 2008, Author: Green4Me

veggie-pizza.jpgIf you love to eat pizza but also know that a pizza bought from a restaurant can contain up to 300 calories per slice there is a way to still eat your favorite food and be healthier too. Pizzas are cut into a wedge shape because it is hard for people to determine how large of a portion they are eating. So it is very easy to eat most of your allowable daily intake of calories in just a single sitting.

Pizzas are not thought of as being a healthy food but with a little careful planning and certified organic ingredients you can make your own pizza keeping well within your calorie count. If you are going to eat a pizza it is a good idea to start off by eating an organic green salad. This will make your stomach feel fuller before you go onto the main meal. You may find that one slice really does fill you up without adding lots of unwanted calories and fat. Cut back on high-fat ingredients and add lots of low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables.

Start by using an organic whole grain crust. You can purchase a pre-made whole wheat pizza crust at the local grocery store, or make your own by substituting whole wheat flour for part or all of the white flour in your pizza dough recipe. Organic whole grains will add fiber to your pizza, which will keep your stomach feeling full longer and is vital for a healthier digestive system.

Next use lots of a healthy organic tomato sauce. Tomato sauce is an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant supplement that may help to prevent some chronic disease.

Cut back on the cheese….please! Although cheese is an excellent source of calcium, a lot of the unwanted calories of a pizza come from the cheese. Only put on a light sprinkling of organic cheese, or choose a lower-fat type of cheese to cut calories and saturated fat.

Don’t use greasy processed meats by any means. Processed meats such as pepperoni and sausage are high in fats which are associated with stomach and colorectal cancer. Choose instead lean topping options, such as chicken or shrimp, or better yet forget all about the meat and make a delicious vegetarian pizza.

Load up the home made pizza with all your favorite veggies. They are very nutritious and low in calories, use generous amounts of vegetables as pizza toppings. Some of your favorite choices may include for instance sun-dried tomatoes, onions, broccoli, spinach, olives, peppers and mushrooms. Really, any of your favorite vegetables would make the perfect choice for the topping of any pizza.

There now that wasn’t so hard was it? By just a little planning you can enjoy one of your favorite foods and be a healthy eater too. Be sure to tell all your friends that love to eat pizza that you have found a way to satisfy your emotional need for a good pizza with the benefit to your body of getting a well needed healthy antioxidant supplement too.

Five Tips to Reduce Cholesterol

August 27, 2008, Author: Green4Me

cholesterol-supplement.jpgYou want to stay healthy by lowering your cholesterol and reduce the risk of a heart attack without the need to take a prescribed medication from a doctor. There are some ways to accomplish this if you  are willing to have an “attitude adjustment.” By this we mean a few simple lifestyle changes. You will be amazed on how easy it is to lower your cholesterol, be healthy, and possibly “kick to the curb” any of the prescribed medications you are currently taking. Consider these 5 easy tips and soon you will see your desired results!

1.  Lose a Few Pounds

Even 5 or 10 pounds can help to lower your cholesterol. Take a good look at your eating habits. If you eat when you have nothing else to do or are stressed out, go for a walk instead. Try eating healthier snacks if you are sitting around watching the boob tube. Take some stairs instead of an elevator. Any increase in physical activity will help somewhat. Keep up with these easy changes and eventually you will see some of those pesky pounds dropping off.

2.  Eat Heart Healthy Foods

If you have had bad eating habits for many years you can easily change to a healthier diet by choosing to eat foods that may raise your total cholesterol but lower the bad cholesterol (LDL). Buy leaner cuts of red meat and low-fat dairy products. Eliminate trans fat found in many fried foods or junk food. If it contains partially hydrogenated oil it has trans fat in it. Lower your cholesterol by not eating organ meats, egg yolks or whole milk.

Instead buy egg substitutes and skim milk. Choose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice. Fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. Dried fruit tends to have more calories than does fresh fruit. Eat foods rich in Omega-3 such as salmon, walnuts, almonds, and flaxseed.

3.  Get Some Daily Exercise 

Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. Ask yourself, “What would I like to do to get some physical exercise?” Maybe your answer would be to take a nice walk, swim a few laps, ride your bike, or play your favorite sport. Remember any kind of physical exercise will help. Even if you watch TV try doing a few sit ups.

4.  If You Smoke………Quit!!

If you smoke today, stop TODAY!! Quitting can improve your HDL cholesterol level. And the benefits don’t end there. After only 20 minutes of quitting, your blood pressure decreases. At 24 hours or less, your risk of a heart attack decreases. At the one year mark, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker. Yes, HALF!! Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is like that of someone who has never smoked at all.

5.  Watch Your Alcohol Intake

Please folks drink in moderation if you are going to have a drink. Excessive drinking habits lead to higher cholesterol levels not to mention a ton of very serious health issues. Knowing that drinking in moderation is the best way to go always keep in mind that it is a healthy body that will be the beneficiary of your alcohol intake.

P.S. Another Tip??

But if these tips on lifestyle changes are not enough you also have a healthy alternative, which is to take a cholesterol supplement. A good healthy cholesterol supplement can augment any lifestyle changes that you do. Results may not be immediate but if you keep up your new routine cholesterol levels will decrease. If you are serious you will take to heart some or all of these tips and also buy a healthy cholesterol supplement to make sure you are getting the best lifestyle that you deserve. 

neptune-krill-oil.jpgPregnant mothers must be on the lookout for anything that could possibly harm their unborn child. Everyone knows of the health risks involved if pregnant mothers smoke, but what about those soon to be mothers who have asthma and would like to reduce the risk of their children from getting asthma. Did you know that Neptune Krill Oil can help reduce the risk? Read on………..

A study has found that children whose mothers ate fish sticks during pregnancy were twice as likely to develop asthma. Besides being deep fried fish sticks contain omega-6 fatty acids that can cause inflamation of the air ways. Neptune Krill Oil contain omega-3 fatty acids that are inflammatory that reduce the potential of getting asthma and allergies.

If the family has a  history of asthma the risk factor for a child developing asthma is very great. It appears that omega-3 fatty acids as in Neptune Krill Oil interacts with the genes involved in the childs initial development stages and somehow reduces the risk of asthma.

Concerned doctors are learning more and more about the importance of fetal exposure to different chemicals and known health hazards, and how these can affect the programming of the baby’s immune system. So if you are currently pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant and have a family history of asthma stay away from the fish sticks or anything with a heavy amount of omega-6. To help prevent asthma in your baby take some healthy Neptune Krill Oil.

neptune_krill_oil.jpgAll of us already know that inflamation is a natural occurance after the body is injured. We need a limited amount of inflamation to heal properly but on the other hand excessive or chronic inflamation is not good for ones health.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is thought to be one of the main causes of inflammation. Higher C-Reactive Protein levels are associated with acute bacterial, viral and other infections, pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis), heart attacks, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. Studies have also found elevated CRP levels in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), obesity, diabetes, uremia, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, high levels of alcohol consumption, low levels of physical activity, and depression.

Did you know that even dental infections are linked to heart disease? Yes, periodontitis triggers an inflammatory and immune response with a rise in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. In patients who have gum disease, the prevailing existance of cardiovascular disease seems to be highest in those people in whom periodontitis coexists with elevated CRP levels. Studies also lead us to believe this bond between high CRP levels and cardiovascular disease also applies to other chronic low-grade infections.

Neptune Krill Oil helps in that it helps the body to maintain proper inflamation levels. In a 30 day study patients treated with Neptune Krill Oil experienced at the end of the 30-day study—what amounted to a nearly 31 percent drop in CRP levels. Placebo-treated patients, in contrast, experienced a rise in mean CRP levels after 30 days. The Neptune Krill Oil treated group also experienced a  an increased ability to move.

Neptune Krill Oil also helps with the eyes ablility to decrease inflamation. In a study done on rats the ones that were subject to Neptune Krill Oil had a reduction of premature indications of certain eye deseases.

This is just a few bits of information indicating that Neptune Krill Oil may assist anyone seeking to support joint and heart health, healthy eyes, or anyone that wishes to maintain healthy levels of C-Reactive Protein.