 |
Nutritional Supplements Information
Protect and Improve Your Health With Antioxidants
Every minute of every day the cells of our bodies are assaulted by particles called oxygen free radicals, also called oxidants. We can?t escape free radicals because our cells produce them during normal metabolism. Additionally, our every day environment contains an abundance of free radicals.
Unfortunately these radicals produce chain reactions that lead to damage of the DNA in our cells. The aging of our cells is partly the result of free radical damage, also called oxidation.
Fortunately there are some simple steps that we can take to minimize the damage and to promote and prolong the health of our cells.
Oxidation
Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired electron. They are chemically active and can be thought of as scavengers. They easily bond with the molecules of our cells in a process called oxidation.
We are familiar with the normal oxidation process of metals such as iron. Iron oxide is called rust, and we know that rust can deteriorate the quality of the metal. Other metals also can exhibit oxidation which we generally call corrosion. We normally take steps to prevent the corrosion of metals.
Damage to our cells caused by oxidation is often called inflammation. And we can take steps to protect ourselves from cellular oxidation.
Antioxidants
There are numerous chemical compounds that will neutralize the effects of oxidation. An antioxidant will bond with the free radical, creating a stable molecule, and prevent the radical from causing oxidation of the cell. This new molecule can then be removed during normal bodily processes.
The best known antioxidants are the nutrients, vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium. Numerous other vitamins, minerals, and enzymes perform important protective antioxidant functions.
Many of these substances, most notably the above mentioned vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium, cannot be produced by our cells but must be ingested through the foods we eat or the supplements we take.
The American Heart Association teaches us that atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, is caused by fatty buildups in our arteries. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a large factor in the buildup of these fatty deposits. According to the AHA, vitamin E is the best of the naturally occurring antioxidants for providing protection against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Vitamin C is probably the most potent general free radical fighter. Its antioxidant properties are used by nearly every cell of the body. Vitamin C is a very strong immune system booster.
Here?s an interesting item from the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. A study investigated the effects of various cooking methods on broccoli. It concluded that microwave cooking depleted 97 per cent of the broccoli?s flavonoids, a major antioxidant. By contrast, steaming the broccoli depleted only 11 per cent of the same antioxidants.
How prevalent is microwave cooking in the kitchens of our homes? Dr Cristina Garcia-Viguera, co-author of the study, concluded that it is best ?to cook vegetables in the minimum amount of water in order to retain their nutritional benefits.?
What To Do
To improve the health of our cells throughout our bodies, to protect our cells from the ravages of oxidation, it is essential to include a rich supply of important antioxidants in our daily diet. Two to four servings from the fruit group and three to five servings from the vegetable group daily are recommended.
If you find it difficult to consume an abundance of antioxidants from the recommended food groups, then taking daily supplements should solve the problem. Find easily digestible tablet or gel capsules from major companies or substitute good liquid supplements as a convenient and good-tasting alternative. As always, consult a physician before beginning a major new program.
Can You Drink Your Way To Good Health?
Many years ago I became convinced of the need to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Although I tried to eat healthy meals, mixing salads, fruits and vegetables, proteins and grains as wisely as I could, numerous studies pointed out the need to add nutritional supplements to my diet.
Glutathione - Your Brains Master Antioxidant Defense
Free radicals and oxyradicals play an important role in the development and progression of many brain disorders such as brain injury, neurodegenerative disease, schizophrenia and Down syndrome.
Supplements and Drugs: A Hazardous Combination
As I have become more involved in using functional nutritional therapy in my practice, I have come to realize that many people are still confused about the safety and effectiveness of various dietary supplements. Because these products are ?natural?, many feel they are always safe to use. Although supplements and herbs can be safer than pharmaceutical drugs, they can still function as drugs in the body and should be used with caution and respect.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Arginine
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that the body cannot make naturally. It is found in nuts, seeds, chocolate and raisins.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Taurine
Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the muscle after glutamine. It performs several useful functions and can act in a way similar to creatine in that it expands cells by helping the muscle to hold more water, thus increasing cell volume. The added benefit for bodybuilders is that these expanded muscle cells boost hydration and stimulate greater protein synthesis giving an enhanced muscle fullness.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a role in the creation of protein. The body can make it from the amino acid phenylalanine but nutritional sources include animal meats, wheat, oatmeal and seafood.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids lysine and methionine but it can also be found in nutritional sources such as red meats, dairy products and avocados. Its main role in the body is to help metabolize food into energy. L-carnitine does this by transferring long chain fatty acids into mitochondria where they are oxidised to produce energy.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be obtained from the diet as the body cannot produce its own. It is an essential building block for all protein in the body and can be found in animal meats, fish, dairy products, legumes and brewer's yeast. It performs many useful functions in the body and has proved to be especially useful in treating herpes and cold sores. Lysine also increases the absorption of calcium so it may help to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - BCAAs
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly being recognized as an important supplement in the field of sports nutrition. In short the term refers to three essential amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - ZMA
ZMA is a scientifically designed anabolic mineral formula containing zinc monomethionine aspartate, magnesium aspartate and vitamin B-6. Studies have shown that it has a clinical effect on testosterone levels when taken in a combination containing 30 mg of zinc and 450 mg of magnesium per day. The most famous study conducted by Lorrie Brilla at Western Washington University indicated that this combination could raise testosterone levels by as much as 30%.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - Tribulus
Tribulus terrestris is a herb that comes from a plant found in Asia. It has been used in the past by many cultures for the treatment of liver, kidney and cardiovascular diseases. It has also been used as a diuretic and to treat infertility. In recent years strength athletes in eastern Europe are reputed to have used it to enhance performance.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - HMB
HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of leucine, one of the body's essential amino acids, with small amounts found naturally in catfish, grapefruit and alfalfa.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - NO Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide is a free form gas produced by the body in order to communicate with other cells. It is created when enzymes break down the amino acid arginine. The main benefit of nitric oxide is its role in controlling the circulation of blood and regulating activities of the brain, lungs, liver, stomach and other organs. It also helps in the control of blood pressure, dilates blood vessels to cause penile erection and is used by the immune system to fight viral, bacterial and parasitic infections.
Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - Methoxyisoflavone
Flavones are the latest big supplement to hit the market. Methoxyisoflavone is a non-hormonal anabolic compound that has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, increase protein synthesis and improve recovery from exercise.
More Articles from Nutritional Supplements Information:
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25
|
Dietary supplements can help reduce the risk of AMDAuburn CitizenThe evidence for supplement use is less clear. One study, known as AREDS2, assessed the impact of 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin in supplement form among 4,203 adults over the age of 50 who already had the beginning stages of ...and more » |
Care2.com |
Vitamin C Supplements for Terminal Cancer PatientsCare2.comVitamin C “is no stranger to controversy, as evidenced by the fact that over 40 years lapsed” from the time citrus fruits were shown to cure scurvy in the 1700s and the widespread implementation of eating citrus to save lives. Is it possible we're in ... |
|
A beginner's guide to dietary supplementsLas Vegas Sun“Three-fourths of all Americans are taking some sort of supplement, the most common being a multivitamin,” said Duffy MacKay, a licensed naturopathic doctor and senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs with the Council for Responsible ... |
|
The Truth About Supplements for Your HeartConsumerReports.orgWalk into any pharmacy or health-food store and you'll see shelves of dietary supplements that promise to help your heart, such as omega-3, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and red yeast rice. Proponents claim that these products can lower blood pressure or ... |
Medical News Bulletin |
Heart-Healthy Benefits of Taurine SupplementsMedical News BulletinThe double-blind randomized study was published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements. “Double-blind” means that neither the participants nor the researchers knew whether the former received taurine supplements or a placebo, increasing the validity of ... |
ModernMedicine |
Dietary Supplements or Unapproved Drugs?ModernMedicineRed yeast rice is a dietary supplement designed to help treat hyperlipidemia and heart disease. Americans spend about $20 million a year on the product, which contains the same statin (monacolin K) as prescription lovastatin. Despite this, the ... |
Google News
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Pulling The Roots Of Disease
"Anybody who tells you that disease has only one cause, and that drugs and surgery are the solution, is DEAD WRONG." Dr. Ward Coleman, N.D.
The Beneficial Effects Of Vitamins On Your Digestive System
As much as we would like to deny it, the digestive system is our favorite system of the body. Why? Because it involves food of course. It is through the digestive system that the body is able to make use of the vitamins, minerals as well as the other nutrients that we consume daily. The digestive system actually breaks down the food that we put into our bodies until it is in a form that can be used by our cells in order to ensure our being healthy. However, not everything that we put into our mouths constitutes as being "healthy", there are several vitamins and minerals that directly affect the quality and efficiency of the process of digestion. A conscious effort to consume the proper amounts of these nutrients daily is a good start towards having a well functioning digestive system.
Stop Suffering With Arthritis Pain Today!
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a nutritional supplement derived from natural organic sulfur. It has been found to have tremendous pain relieving benefits for multiple ailments. MSM has the ability to relieve inflammation and resulting pain associated with arthritis.
Looking For Health Care Supplements ? The Easy Way To Order
When looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy an easy way of finding a selection of health and fitness products. The Internet has made it easy to get great quality products, and when looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy both choice and convenience online. You can get all sorts of supplements, from mens health and fitness products and women's products to a range of natural supplements suitable for a variety of purposes.
Eat Well First Before You Take Your Vitamins
There is a huge market when it comes to vitamins. Every Walmart and Walgreens across the nation are stocked with shelves and shelves of vitamins and minerals. Do you actually know what vitamins are and how they can help you? The word vitamin is from combining ?vital amine by a Polish chemist Casimir Funk in 1912. Vitamin B1 was first isolated by Funk. He determined that B1 is one of the vitamins that prevented beriberi. Not much beriberi going around these days thanks to Funk. Vitamins are organic and function as catalysts for reactions. If these catalysts or vitamins are missing such as in a vitamin deficiency, the body can begin breaking down and you can become sick.
Puranol SL - New Weight Loss Product Extraordinaire - Maybe
Before you read the rest of this article I want every body to stop and think for a second about what great achievements that you have accomplished in your life that didn't come through hard work.
Vitamin for Boosting your Immune System
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it can certainly help to boost your immune system. Of course Turmeric is a herb and in recent years has become quite popular in the Spice Rack of modern day kitchens.
Supplements ? How To Take Them
It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find it hard to break down food and absorb nutrients ? this can be caused by poor levels of stomach acid, toxic substances in the gut, insufficient production of digestive enzymes among other reasons.
Protect Your Body and Slow Down Aging With Antioxidants
The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your Body
Protein Supplement
Protein Supplement ? whey protein.
Vitamin Supplements in a Liquid World
Every day, it seems like we are living in an increasingly liquid world. I'm not preaching against the evils of alcohol or for a new era of prohibition that will save us from sin and politicians. After all, water is also a liquid, and it rarely inflicts us with either sin or politicians.
Top Ten Reasons To Supplement Your Diet With EPA Fish Oil
1. Most of the modern western diets contain way too much omega 6 in the form of breads and pasta, by supplementing your diet with an omega 3 fish oil supplement it will help to correct this imbalance of omega 6 to omega 3.
Creatine, Caffeine, and Carbohydrates - Supplements That Work
It would seem that everyone is looking to squeeze the most out of their training investment and as a result, the supplement industry has globally become a multi-billion dollar industry. There are however very few legal ergogenic (performance enhancing) supplements on the market whose benefits are proven and whose negative side effects are minimal. A large majority of the supplements on the market are either dangerous e.g.. Ephedrine or have absolutely no benefit at all on performance e.g. orthonine, arginine. In this article we have chosen to highlight three products, which have proven performance-enhancing properties, these include creatine, caffeine and carbohydrates.
Should You Be Taking Liquid Vitamins?
How many pills do you have to take every morning? Lots of multivitamins in there? For most people the answer is yes, considering there are more multivitamins sold than Prozac or Viagra!
Nutritional Supplements: The Amazing Vitamin C
The real facts about Vitamin C may surprise you. First of all what is Vitamin C? Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. Unlike the oil soluble vitamins such as A and E, Vitamin C cannot be stored by your body. Since Vitamin C is not stored by your body, we need to get it from our diet or from supplements.
HGH - Avoid Getting Ripped Off
HGH is an exciting new phenomenon, which aspires to help us defy age, build muscle, increase vitality, and improve our quality of life in ways we have not yet discovered. Understandably, the public desperately needs and wants these benefits and is spending large amounts of money on growth hormone products. However, as with any new technology, the market is unstable and there are many unproven products and sketchy companies looking to capitalize on this growing demand and make a quick buck.
Vitamin E to Protect Against Parkinsons Disease
Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect against Parkinson's disease, according to a study in the Lancet Neurology (2005;4:362?5).
Introduing Supplements to Your Body & Improving Your Diet - A Guide of What to Expect
Part 1:
Safer And More Effective Than Botox? Shocking Results
Are the new Argireline Wrinkle Relaxing Creams as effective as Botox?
Vitamin E
Three Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sodium and Potassium ? for good health
|