May
03

There is no doubt that healthy diet is the foundation of all the optimal nutrition plans. Good nutritional supplements are designed to complement the needs of healthy eating rather than replace it. But it is no exaggeration to say that no diet can provide as comprehensive and optimized micro-nutrients as those high quality nutritional products.

We were born to be peculiar on certain foods, have various degrees of bad living habits (such as smoking, drinking, stay late or overnight, skip meals); food contamination is present in every corner of our lives, coupled with environmental pollutions and pressure, all these will lead to the root of all diseases, free radicals, to appear in our body in large amount. Scientists have confirmed that free radicals are related to at least over 100 diseases; everyday the cells in our body get attacked as little as 73,000 times by free radicals, calling free radicals “source of hundred diseases” is not an exaggeration. Pressure, solar radiation, air pollution, toxic and contaminated water, foods lack of nutrients, all increase the chances of free radical attack.

Two articles by some Harvard University’s researchers were published in the June issue of the American Medical Association Journal in 2002. In its June issue of 2002, the Journal of American Medical Association published two articles written by some researchers from Harvard University. One was “The Role Vitamins Play in Adjuvant Therapy of Adult Chronic Diseases”. The conclusion: Intake only slightly higher than the sub-optimal amount of RDA values required by FDA (it is merely the minimum to sustain life, not to get malnutrition diseases such as rickets, scurvy and beriberi) is far not enough or even dangerous for those common chronic diseases, especially for the elderly. Taking lower than optimal amount of supplements such as folic acid, vitamin B6, B12 is not enough to combat cardiovascular diseases, neural tube defects, colon and breast cancer. Lack of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis and bone fracture; lack of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, E, C) can lead to several chronic diseases.

Vitamin B complex is essential to our health and whole grain is one major source, but 86% of B complex gets lost during the modern processing of whole grains. FDA only requires manufacturers to put 10% of the nutrients lost back to the grains and they call it “enriched” products. It can be misleading because people tend to think this kind of products give them better nutrition than what they could get from the original source. Adding all sorts of preservatives to our foods also has great impact our our health. For example, it takes 3 months for an unwrapped Twinkies to get mold!

Many other environmental factors greatly influence our daily life. Watch the video below for more information.

More and more scientific evidence revealed the important and key roles that the optimal dosage of micro-nutrient supplements have played in maintaining good health and preventing degenerative diseases. This optimal dosage is very difficult to achieve from taking food alone! Talking about individuals food preferences, the amount we eat, seasonal differences and poor diet are already some of the unfavorable factors, not to mention years of environmental changes, poor soils spoiled by unreasonable farming methods are no longer able to fully provide plants their needed nutrients and trace minerals. Today, all the crops have much shorter growing season, yet transportation and storage time has become quite long, poor nutrition in foods due to heavy use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, over-processing of foods and many other modernization drawbacks; attraction of fast food makes the situation even worse, not even the basic RDA can be guaranteed after all.

Japanese Ministry of Health (equivalent to the Taiwan Department of Health) did a representative experiment in 1950 when a group of researchers in Chiba prefecture of Japan used 100 grams of spinach as the raw material, and extracted 150 mg of vitamin C. Yet in 1995, another group of researchers took the same amount of spinach from the same area, but the amount of vitamin C extracted from the spinach was merely 13 mg! Today we have to consume 28 lbs. of spinach each day in order to reach the minimum intake of vitamin E!

The obvious fact is that it is impossible to get the optimal nutrients from only taking 3 meals everyday. To get the minimum vitamin C intake of 1300 mg, everyday we must eat 16 medium sized fresh tree ripe apples or 8-10 citrus of same conditions. How many of us can really do that?

May
03

To stay health has become an important part of all our lives. With so much of stress borne by our bodies, both mentally and physically, it becomes necessary for us to in take vitamins and nutritional supplements to boost up our energies to work day long.

Why do we take them? Our body requires certain amount of minerals and vitamins to keep us healthy and fit. They are needed to keep our hair, nails, muscles, eye-sight, out heart and nervous system to function normally and good results. If we have a balanced diet, which includes foods which supplies the necessary vitamins and proteins, there will be no need for any kind of addition supplements to work for us. But looking at the lifestyle we follow today, where we have no time for personal care in a healthy way and the damaged food habits we have cultivated in this junk food ear, our body lacks the supply of nutrients in their proper amount leave alone a good percentage.

If we are able to eat and drink healthy, then there is no need for any kind of supplements at all. But when we are unable to fulfill our body’s demands, then dietary supplements is the best way to keep us healthy on the go. They are necessary to fight the nutritional deficiencies our system faces, weakening our immune system and landing us to the doctor’s door on regular basis.

There are certain cases where the body, though on a healthy diet consuming all essential foods it is supposed to, yet feels certain weakness in carrying out normal work. There can be many reasons as to why would anyone face such a situation and thus it becomes important to consult a doctor to know the actually reason before trying your hand on any kind of energy supplements.

On the other side, there are people who take support of these health vitamin supplements to cater the extra energy their work or profession demands. These cases are different and special and their prescriptions are based on their body requirement and demands. In any case, it is always preferred safe to consult your dietitian before attempting on any of the products.

Vitamin supplements for women are very essential as they face a lot of physical changes over a period of time. They lack the necessary amount of calcium and vitamins in their bones and body after pregnancy and thus are advised to take supplements followed by a strict and healthy diet. There are also available online if you look for discount on vitamins and nutritional supplements. But make sure you have done enough research on the manufacturer before buying them.

Apr
30

The value of getting an adequate amount of minerals to our body to maintain our overall health cannot be stressed enough. Having enough mineral levels in our body provides a wide variety of health benefits while having mineral deficiencies results to a wide variety of conditions including death in severe cases. Minerals take part in nerve transmission, muscle contraction, cell permeability, tissue structure, blood formation, acid-base balance, fluid regulation, blood pressure control, protein metabolism and energy production. With the decrease of mineral levels on the food we eat and increase on pollutions and vices now more than ever we need supplements.

Minerals are key components of our body it is a major factor on maintaining good health and preventing various health problems. What most people don’t understand is that minerals have an effect on almost every capability in our body we need them for all chemical process that goes on inside us. Minerals offer a great number of health benefits to our body which it needs to ensure optimal health.

Minerals are inorganic nutrients, which mean that the body cannot make them. Instead, they can only be supplied to the body through selection of foods such as:

Meat, cereals
Fish
Milk and dairy foods
Vegetables
Fruit (especially dried fruit)
Nuts
As well as through mineral supplements.

Health Supplements that our body needs

Mineral Deficiency occurs when there is lack or low levels of minerals which are important for our bodies growth and health and fitness. The most significant minerals that our body needs are calcium, potassium, magnesium and zinc without the proper amount of these minerals our body will have difficulty performing its daily functions.

Examples on how mineral supplements will be able to help you with.

The human body needs Calcium more than any other mineral this is because of the many important functions performed by Calcium in the human body. Calcium supplements will help work the hormones and glands better, prevent you from being overweight and keep your blood pressure in check.

Potassium is the major positive ion (cation) found inside of cells. Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalemia) is commonly caused by inadequate potassium intake and heavy fluid losses that “flush” potassium out of the body. Feeling fatigued, rhythm disturbances and palpitations of the heart and problems in digesting are just one of the most common symptoms. Potassium Mineral Supplements will help your body regain or raise the potassium level in your body.

Magnesium is a mineral substance in our body that contributes in absorption of calcium and building healthy bones and teeth. People suffering from osteoporosis are instructed by health experts to increase the magnesium levels in their body by eating foods with magnesium content and by taking mineral supplements to increase it.

Men needs to increase their zinc levels more than women, due to the very high concentration of zinc in sperm their zinc levels are depleted every time they have sex.

With busy work life and tempting fast foods it’s hard to keep up with what our body needs this is why more and more people are taking supplements to meet the daily required amounts of minerals in their body. Again I would urge you to consult with a doctor and/or a dietitian before proceeding to taking mineral supplements over dosage can create a lot more health problems for you and this is more common than you think, so know your proper dosage and find out what mineral supplements your body needs.

Apr
28

Anti-aging nutritional supplements are very trendy now. Do they really work to delay the aging process? Would an anti-aging supplement work for you? Let’s take a closer look what these supplements are and how they help your body to combat age.

Balanced nutritious diet is definitely the key to anti-aging. It would be great to eat freshly picked fruits and vegetables that are full of antiaging vitamins, but, unfortunately, this is not practical for most people. “Healthy” food that we buy in supermarkets is usually lost bigger half of its nutrition value, due to storage. That is why it is important to add a quality nutritional supplement to your antiaging diet.

What ingredients an antiaging nutritional supplement includes?

There are general anti-aging health supplements that keep your body in tonus and help you feel younger and more energetic. These usually include a good antioxidant complex – Vitamins A, C, E and B group vitamins, Selenium and Folic acid. Amino acids and Glucosamine are essential as well; they make your skin look youthful and glowing with health. Other essential components would be biotin, choline, inositol; calcium, copper, iodine, zinc, phosphorous; hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids and food grade collagen.

If you have specific age related health problems like degenerative disease, hypertension, arthrosclerosis, hormonal imbalance or memory loss you are looking for special nutritional supplement that would address your problem. In this case it is best to ask your doctor to recommend a supplement complex.

There are natural antiaging supplements – herbal bazed complexes of vitamins and minerals. These cost more, but they are safer to use. Alternative is supplements that contain synthetically derived vitamins.

Where to look for anti-aging health supplements?

There are so many vitamin and supplements on offer that it is easy to get confused which one to chose. A good place to look would be a health store or a vitamin store, their sales stuff usually knows their products well and can give you a good advice. Another option – ask for a doctor’s advice. There are many anti-aging centers and clinics, so it would not be difficult to find one in your area. A doctor can suggest an anti-aging supplement tailored specifically to your needs.

You can also look for antiaging supplements online, but as with all products sold online don’t let advertising hype to affect your decision. Regardless of what any web site claims, the ultimate antiaging formula has not yet been found. Read customer’s testimonials and independent reviews of a supplement. Also check out its ingredients, to see if it suits your needs.

It is best to take your nutrition supplement with a meal just as the nature intended. Bear in mind that all vitamins have better effect in the morning while your metabolism is most active. Also caffeine drinks can decrease the effect of some vitamins, so don’t drink any coffee or tea when taking your supplement. Herbal tea is the exception, of course.

If you don’t want your physical age to take over your life, you should make an antiaging supplement a part of your everyday diet. And of course don’t forget about other important ways to combat age – regular exercise, balanced diet and adequate intake of water. Follow these every day and you will feel healthy and young. Who cares what your birth certificate says!

Apr
27

Vitamins are organic substances the body needs to maintain and promote good health.  They are used for growth, digestion and nerve function.  Vitamins are either fat soluble or water soluble.  The fat soluble vitamins, (A, D, E, & K) can be stored in the body until needed, so it is important not to take too much of them, as it is harder to get rid of any excess.  The water soluble vitamins (C and the B’s) are eliminated from the body through the kidneys, so any excess is flushed out rather quickly.

The benefits of vitamins are numerous.  They prevent nutritional deficiencies causing many diseases, including scurvy and rickets.  They help maintain the health of our bones and teeth.  They protect us against heart disease and many types of cancer. Also, resent research is indicating that they may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.  Some vitamins or combinations of certain vitamins and other supplements are even believed to aid in weight loss!

Vitamins and other supplements are very common “health band-aids” in today’s hectic world. We are often too occupied with our busy daily activities to eat the way we should.  Many take the easy way out and run through the drive-by window at the nearest fast food establishment!  So we take vitamin supplements to help us get the nutrients our body needs, and is probably not receiving from our food. Even those eating a “balanced” diet, are not getting the vitamins they need due to soil depletion and processed foods.

The amount and type of vitamin supplementation that is best for you as an individual depends on your age, physical condition, daily diet and your general overall health. Your doctor, dietician, or nutritionist can recommend which vitamins you may need.  They should take a thorough health history, and some blood work to determine which supplements you may be lacking.

Many vitamins contain anti-oxidants which prevent oxidation and help rid the body of harmful impurities. Oxidation can produce free radicals.  These free radicals start chain reactions in the body that can cause cellular damage. You can think of oxidation as sort of a “rusting” process. Anti-oxidants can help slow down or prevent the rust!  Most people report having more energy, sleeping better and just feeling better overall when they take the right vitamins. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are both known to be great antioxidants. Many antioxidants are readily available in nuts, fruits and vegetables.

The combination of the antioxidants Resveratrol, Quercetin, and IsoFlavones have been a boost to weight loss for many dieters. The Antioxidant Cocktail combination reportedly shrinks your fat cells, causing your hunger to diminish. It also sends the signal to your brain to stop eating because you’ve had enough to eat.

It is important to take good vitamins.  There can be a huge difference in the amount and quality of ingredients your body absorbs and assimilates, and that is what is important. Generally, you will find higher quality vitamin products in health food stores, from a good online vendor, or from a physician’s office, as opposed to the local grocery store or the large chain stores. And, in most situations, a capsule, or a powdered or liquid preparation will be absorbed faster and better than a hard tablet.  Another thing to watch for, is artificial colors, fillers, and other additives that only diminish the quality of the vitamin.

Vitamins are very important to help keep your body in balance. Deficiencies of some vitamins can cause severe illnesses.  Excessive amounts of other vitamins can also cause problems.  It is important to do your own research, and work with a knowledgeable health advisor.

It is also important to watch the quality and quantity of the food in your diet, and include exercise in your daily routine. Your basic diet will always be the main source of the nutrients your body needs. The many benefits of vitamins are well known.  At the very least, a good multi-vitamin is something you should seriously consider. Maintaining adequate vitamin levels can correct or prevent nutritional deficiencies, but it can not totally compensate for a very unhealthy lifestyle.

Apr
27

If you are a female who is looking to slim down, you may be interested in how to find the best weight loss supplements for women. Women need certain vitamins and minerals as part of their daily diets in order to function properly, and their needs differ from those of men. This is especially the case when a woman is looking to lose extra pounds. Making sure that she gets a sufficient intake of minerals and vitamins will make certain that a woman’s body will use energy efficiently and burn calories, on the condition that she exercises regularly and eats a healthy low-fat diet on top of this.

Some of the best supplements for a woman who is looking to lose weight to take are Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, and Chromium. These different supplements are discussed in more detail below.

To begin, Vitamin B2 is a good supplement for a woman to take if she is looking to lose weight. This vitamin is also referred to as riboflavin. It is needed for the correct functioning of the thyroid. It helps to regulate a person’s metabolism. Keeping one’s metabolism in check is needed for someone to maintain a healthy weight. Both men and women need adequate levels of this vitamin in order for their bodies to be able to transform carbs into glucose for energy. As Vitamin B2 is water soluble, the body does not store it. Thus, people need to make sure that they good decent levels of this vitamin every day. Women in their twenties and older should get at least 1.1 milligrams of this vitamin each day, and the number jumps to 1.6 for females who are breastfeeding.

Next, Vitamin B3 is also needed for women who are looking to lose weight. This vitamin is also given the name of niacin, and it aids in helping to keep blood sugar levels regulated. When blood sugar levels drop, hunger is the unfortunate end result. Getting enough of this vitamin in one’s daily diet can aid in stopping cravings. Vitamin B3 also helps with keep thyroid functioning and cholesterol levels under control. Women in their twenties need to get at least 14 milligrams of this vitamin daily, with the number going up to 17 milligrams for females who are breastfeeding.

Vitamin B5 is also essential in keeping a woman’s weight down. This supplement is also known as pantothetic acid, and it is a vitamin that helps to burn off body fat. It also creates energy that one’s body can utilize. It breaks down carbs and fats and then converts them into usable forms of energy for the body. Taking in enough Vitamin B5 also aids in reducing triglycerides in one’s body. Women who are in their twenties need at least 5 milligrams of the vitamin each day, and those who are breastfeeding their babies should take in 7 milligrams of it.

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, naturally regulates metabolism in the body. It works with the B2 and B3 vitamins to form thyroid hormones. Just as in the case of Vitamin B2, pyridoxine helps the body to keep its metabolism in check. This in turn burns calories in a more efficient manner. Women in their twenties need at least 1.3 milligrams of this supplement, and those breastfeeding need 2 milligrams.

Last but not least, chromium is a great supplement for women who are looking to lose weight to take. When there is not enough chromium in one’s diet, it least to an increased level of triglycerides, blood sugar levels, and an increased risk in developing diabetes and heart disease among other conditions. It also aids the body in forming muscle masses that are lean, which helps with burning fat. Women in their twenties need at least 25 micrograms of the vitamin each day, with the number jumping to 30 micrograms for those who are breastfeeding.

In conclusion, there are a number of supplements that women who are looking to lose weight can take. When accompanied by diet and exercise, these vitamins and minerals are very helpful in slimming people down. They include Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, and Chromium.

Apr
26

Stop the Cravings!

Have you ever stopped to think that every time you reach for that chocolate bar or fried food that you may be suffering a nutritional deficiency? Have you ever made the connection between food cravings and nutritional deficiencies?

When young children eat dirt or pregnant women have unusual cravings for salty and sweet food (at the same time), these are all likely signs of mineral deficiencies. Or if you are always after fried foods or chocolate or constantly opening the fridge looking for something to munch on, then these are all signs that you may be deficient in one of a number of essential nutrients – particularly minerals – and your body is trying to replace these by eating as much as it can.

Our Bodies Need Nutrients

Just about everyone knows that they need calcium and vitamin C in their diet – and if you don’t get enough of these nutrients, then you can get diseases. Weight control is the same – give your body the best weight loss supplements (vitamins, minerals and essential fats), eliminate the bad foods, stay active and follow a healthy eating plan and your body will do the rest. You really don’t need expensive diets that may work in the short term but are unrealistic for the long term.

You may be able to get some of these nutrients from food – but not all of them and not always in a form that your body can readily absorb. Plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, lots of protein, eggs, grains and nuts will get you started, however most of our food lacks essential minerals and trace minerals (because our soils are depleted of these minerals) and these are hard to replace without supplements.

The Best Weight Loss Supplements Are The One’s That Work AND Keep You Healthy!

Plant Derived Liquid Minerals from a reliable source are among your best weight loss supplements because they are 98% absorbable, 100% safe, are a natural organic product and contain the full spectrum of over 70 minerals required for practically every body function. Taken together with multivitamins and essential fatty acids and you have the best weight loss supplements.

Additional mineral supplements containing chromium and vanadium can help regulate blood sugar and may also help reduce weight by relieving sugar and food cravings, when combined with a healthy low carbohydrate diet.
The addition of a weight loss protein shake (preferably one which is full of vitamins, minerals and whey protein) is a great idea as a healthy in-between snack to get you through a morning or afternoon without reaching for the bad things. It gives you energy and a ‘full’ feeling.

Incorporating supplements into your healthy eating plan

A healthy weight loss plan involves eating more frequently and having your largest meals at the beginning and middle of the day – the same is true of health supplements for weight loss. Spread your daily dosage out through the day – about three to four times – because this way you receive good nutrition throughout the whole day and are less likely to snack.

Another good idea is to have additional doses of the minerals and plenty of filtered water when you feel really hungry. Wait 10-15 minutes after having the water and minerals, and if you are still hungry – then prepare your favorite high protein snack or use a protein shake with some of your favorite fruit.

Drink some more water with your meal – it will knock out the food cravings. (Note – avoid distilled water, it lacks minerals and will ‘take’ minerals from your body over a long period of time.)

Finally – consider the use of a digestive enzymes supplement to assist with digestion. This will ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the supplements and the food you eat. Antacids will neutralize stomach acid and may interfere with your absorption. Talk to your health care professional if you have difficulties with absorption.

Apr
26

If you are someone who has difficulty losing weight, you probably should start thinking of weight loss vitamins for women to fast track your progress. This is because bodily systems react rather differently; while simply embarking on the right exercise programs and diet may be very effective for a lot of people, others require a bit more help in order to see visible results. Help, in this regard, may come in various forms, and among these are dietary supplements that aid in weight loss.

Then again, you have to be picky when it comes to weight loss supplements. You should be able to understand what comprise each weight loss pill because there are those that consist of ingredients that are purely intended to make you lose weight and which do not have other nutritional values. Supplements of this kind will bring your weight down but expect certain consequences, like fatigue, loss of electrolytes, diarrhea, dehydration, and the like. What you need to look for are weight loss vitamins for women specifically because these serve a variety of purpose. Apart from helping you lose weight the proper way, weight loss vitamins also help to maintain a healthy well being.

Ideal weight loss vitamins in this case are the B Vitamins and Vitamin C. The B-vitamins are so important to one’s health. Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin, regulates thyroid activity and aids in metabolism, a critical factor in weight loss. A slow metabolism usually means less effective fat-burning properties, and that contributes to weight gain. Consuming Vitamin B2-rich foods like liver, milk, almonds, cheese, and vegetables and/or multivitamins that contain sufficient Vitamin B2 helps to remedy the problem. Vitamin B3 or Niacin is essential in the production of the thyroid hormone that would play a direct role in metabolism. Niacin can be sourced from brown rice, eggs, wheat bran, chicken, barley, and cheese. Vitamin B5 or Panthotenic Acid proves to be just as important as the first two B-vitamins because how fat is utilized by the body depends on it. Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine has roughly the same function as Niacin in that it hastens metabolism by controlling thyroid hormone production. Pyridoxine is usually found in oats, poultry and beef, brown rice, cabbage, eggs, and bananas.

Now choline may not exactly be a vitamin, strictly speaking, but it still forms part of the B-vitamin family, one that is especially needed to ensure that fat is metabolized efficiently. Sufficient amounts of choline are very important to ensure that the fats are not cornered in the liver but metabolized to become energy. Cucumber, peanuts and cauliflower are all good sources of choline. Choline has to work side by side with Inositol, to enable a faster metabolism. Inositol is not a vitamin but is an essential component of the B-vitamins. Soy, whole grains, eggs, nuts, and citrus fruits all have good amounts of Inositol.

Aside from the B-vitamins, Vitamin C is also regarded as a weight loss vitamin, it works in facilitating glucose conversion into useful energy. Vitamin C also aids in metabolism and prevents weight gain while at the same time boosting your body’s immunity. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits like organe, lemon, kiwi, and strawberry, as well as in vegetables, like broccoli and green pepper.

Based on the foregoing, you can see why it is a must that Vitamin C and the B-vitamins compose the weight loss vitamins for women.

Apr
25

Proper nutrition is vitally important to reaching your fitness goals. Quite often, it is necessary to use supplements to ensure that all essential nutrients are being consumed to satisfy a weight lifter’s requirements. Below are listed the five most important nutritional supplements that every weight lifter should consider taking.

Although we present a common dosage level for the supplements below, always follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage found on the label of your supplement.

Whey Protein
Few forms of protein can match whey protein for its ability to help your body pack on muscle. Whey protein is absorbed very quickly by the body, and is the perfect post-workout supplement. Most protein supplements that come in powder form contain whey protein, and it is extremely affordable.

Note that whey protein supplements should not be used in lieu of other proteins that your body absorbs from food. Keep eating those eggs, chicken breast and lean fish. Only use whey protein as a supplement to a balanced weight lifting diet.

Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) supplement
We’ve mentioned that protein is the building block of muscle. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are over 20 amino acids, but only three of them are branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine and isoleucine) and they make up 30-35% of an average person’s muscle mass. The standard recommended dose 5-7 grams taken immediately before and immediately after a workout.

Creatine
Creatine monohydrate has been shown to provide significant gains in both muscular strength and size in weight lifters who use it as a supplement. The common recommended dose is 3-5 grams / day, optimally taken immediately after a workout. There is a debate as to whether a “loading phase” is necessary for weight lifters who first begin taking the supplement. The loading phase usually lasts five days, and the recommended dosage is 20-25 grams / day, taken throughout the day. Always consult the label on your supplements, and follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.

Multivitamin
It is almost impossible to provide your body with all the vitamins and minerals that it requires to function at peak performance. The addition of a quality multivitamin supplement to your diet regimen can help provide your body these missing nutrients. Although it’s a more expensive option, it is recommended to find a multivitamin that is taken during different times during the day, optimally one in the morning and a different one in the evening.

Glutamine
L-Glutamine is an amino acid that is shown to help muscles perform better during workouts. Studies have shown that glutamine slows down the rate at which your muscles break down during exercise, thus enabling the weight lifter possibly lift heavier weights or perform more reps. A common recommended dosage level to take 5 g in morning, post-workout and before bed.

By adding the supplements listed above to your weight lifting nutrition schedule, you could greatly enhance the way your body builds muscle and burns fat. As always, a sensible weight lifting diet is the most important part of your nutrition, so only begin adding supplements after you’ve established the best possible eating habits.

Look for my next article……..”Be Your Best”

Apr
24

The value of getting an adequate amount of minerals to our body to maintain our overall health cannot be stressed enough. Having enough mineral levels in our body provides a wide variety of health benefits while having mineral deficiencies results to a wide variety of conditions including death in severe cases. Minerals take part in nerve transmission, muscle contraction, cell permeability, tissue structure, blood formation, acid-base balance, fluid regulation, blood pressure control, protein metabolism and energy production. With the decrease of mineral levels on the food we eat and increase on pollutions and vices now more than ever we need supplements.

Minerals are key components of our body it is a major factor on maintaining good health and preventing various health problems. What most people don’t understand is that minerals have an effect on almost every capability in our body we need them for all chemical process that goes on inside us. Minerals offer a great number of health benefits to our body which it needs to ensure optimal health.

Minerals are inorganic nutrients, which mean that the body cannot make them. Instead, they can only be supplied to the body through selection of foods such as:

Meat, cereals

Fish

Milk and dairy foods

Vegetables

Fruit (especially dried fruit)

Nuts

As well as through mineral supplements.

Health Supplements that our body needs

Mineral Deficiency occurs when there is lack or low levels of minerals which are important for our bodies growth and health and fitness. The most significant minerals that our body needs are calcium, potassium, magnesium and zinc without the proper amount of these minerals our body will have difficulty performing its daily functions.

Examples on how mineral supplements will be able to help you with.

The human body needs Calcium more than any other mineral this is because of the many important functions performed by Calcium in the human body. Calcium supplements will help work the hormones and glands better, prevent you from being overweight and keep your blood pressure in check.

Potassium is the major positive ion (cation) found inside of cells. Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalemia) is commonly caused by inadequate potassium intake and heavy fluid losses that “flush” potassium out of the body. Feeling fatigued, rhythm disturbances and palpitations of the heart and problems in digesting are just one of the most common symptoms. Potassium Mineral Supplements will help your body regain or raise the potassium level in your body.

Magnesium is a mineral substance in our body that contributes in absorption of calcium and building healthy bones and teeth. People suffering from osteoporosis are instructed by health experts to increase the magnesium levels in their body by eating foods with magnesium content and by taking mineral supplements to increase it.

Men needs to increase their zinc levels more than women, due to the very high concentration of zinc in sperm their zinc levels are depleted every time they have sex.

With busy work life and tempting fast foods it’s hard to keep up with what our body needs this is why more and more people are taking supplements to meet the daily required amounts of minerals in their body. Again I would urge you to consult with a doctor and/or a dietitian before proceeding to taking mineral supplements over dosage can create a lot more health problems for you and this is more common than you think, so know your proper dosage and find out what mineral supplements your body needs.