Archive for the ‘Supplement Recommendation’ Category

PostHeaderIcon Pick Vitamins that Work for You – 6 Tips



We all know that a diet of food rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients is essential to our health and well being. Yet you tried a nutritional supplement that did little for you despite a friend’s or salesperson’s enthusiastic recommendation. Then scientific studies conclude supplementation has no benefit or could even be harmful. No wonder you may be confused! By following a few simple rules, you can choose nutritional supplements that can help maintain and improve your health.

1. Make sure the supplement is in the right form. Many vitamin makers take short cuts to keep production costs low. Inorganic forms such as magnesium oxide or calcium carbonate are difficult to absorb. Most people don’t benefit from them. Organic forms such as calcium ascorbate are well absorbed because they are similar to vitamins in our food. They are also large molecules that do not fit in a small tablet. The daily dose of a good multivitamin requires more than one pill.

2. You need more than one form of some vitamins. Many makers use a single form, again as a short cut. The vitamins in our food come in many forms, and each of these forms performs different functions in our body. So instead of beta-carotene, look for mixed carotenoids. Instead of the succinate or acetate forms of vitamin E, also called tocopherol, look for natural mixed tocopherols.

3. Make sure the dosage is high enough to make a difference. If your supplement contains the U.S.RDA or less, it will likely make little difference in your health. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) amounts prevent deficiency diseases such as scurvy from lack of vitamin C, according to the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council. The RDAs do not define the optimal intake for an individual. There is a growing body of research showing that optimal intake for many nutrients, especially antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and selenium may be much higher than their current RDA. In their 1989 report, the Food and Nutrition Board stated that the RDAs do not apply to individuals with “unusual stressors.” These stressors often include prescription drug use, the habits mentioned below and chronic illness.

4. Don’t expect supplements to make up for bad habits. Smoking, processed food, carbonated beverages, caffeine, alcohol, and antacid consumption are just a few habits that deplete you of vitamins and minerals or make it difficult for you to absorb them. Work on stopping these habits instead.

5. Make sure you can utilize the supplement. Some people with health problems cannot absorb or utilize even the best vitamin and mineral supplements. Homeopathic, herbal or other support may be needed. If you think this may be your case, a practitioner skilled in these areas may be able to help.

6. Don’t cherry pick. Taking only one or two single vitamins or minerals can be harmful, as was found in the 1996 Beta-Carotene and Retinal Efficacy Trial (CARET). This study was stopped early because the researchers determined that a synthetic form of beta-carotene increased the incidence of lung cancer in smokers. If you apply our rules to the above study, you will see potential reasons for the bad outcome. Instead of mixed carotenoids, they used a poorly absorbed form of beta-carotene that is also known to block the absorption of carotenoids from food. They also used only one vitamin in isolation. Beta-carotene in the doses used in the study becomes a free-radical, unless vitamins C and E are present to neutralize it.

Free radicals are molecules that damage cellular structures, including DNA, which can lead to cancer. Everyone, even healthy people, have free radicals. Your body constantly neutralizes them to keep you healthy. Smoking generates free-radicals. So giving the smokers beta-carotene alone only increased their free radical load above and beyond that already produced by smoking, and put them at greater risk for cancer. This study reinforces the rule that supplementation cannot make up for bad habits. Not smoking remains the most effective way to prevent lung cancer.

Studies suggest that a good supplement regimen includes a quality multivitamin supplement, flax seed oil, additional vitamin C and an antioxidant formula. Beyond this, seek the assistance of a practitioner skilled in nutritional medicine.

PostHeaderIcon Unknown Health Risks of Creatine Supplements



Please lend your ears dear athletes! Here is something important to talk about your health that supports you to shine as a successful sports person. Winning the events may be your hobby, but not maintaining your health. Health is more important than your hobby. Only in the sound body, you can expect production of sound. It is nothing wrong to take care of your health by learning more about the bodybuilding supplements that you consume to strengthen your health.

If you are a sportsman who takes creatine supplement with the view to improving or increasing your strength, it’s high time you read this article. Under variety of brand names, the bodybuilding supplements are kept for sale on the market. Continuous intake of best bodybuilding supplements like protein powders, eggs and other soy products are decidedly good and they don’t disturb your health anymore. You must be careful, if you have any option to go for creatine supplements. Avoid taking higher dosage of creatine supplement, lest you should suffer from small health risks like muscle cramps, muscle tears, muscle pulls, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea and the like.

Creatine being nitrogenous organic acid, gives strength with improving supply of energy to the muscle cells. Creatine supplements are safe until you are involving in training continuously. The dosage must be taken according to the recommendation given by the physician always. International Olympic Committee has allowed the athletes to take creatine considering they are not illegal.

Numerous doubts about bodybuilding supplements arise everyday and the information existing is often confusing. Still most of the sportsmen are under confusion in knowing what the best bodybuilding supplements are and what not are. Are creatine supplements safe? As the population grows and cost of drugs and health supplements soars everyday. Hence, it is vitally significant to learn about the best bodybuilding supplements now.

Experts are researching on the benefits and drawbacks for health and bodybuilding supplements that are consumed by the sports person. Studies and researches are conducted to give more information about the health risks involve in taking creatine products. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not legalize the health and nutritional supplements as there is no guarantee for safety. There are side effects possible and that may affect liver, heart, kidney and brain, if creatine supplements are consumed in excess regularly.

It is evident that intake of creatine supplements would increase the muscle mass, strength and body energy. It is advised that people below 18 years should not take creatine supplements. Get to your understanding that no drug, health supplement, bodybuilding supplements are totally risk-free. Do you have any risk in trying for the success in the honest way? Do you believe in shortcuts to earn fame? You can’t simply do that dear athlete. Consuming health supplements and creatine supplements in higher dosage is strictly not advisable.

Creatine is after all a health and energy raising supplement and it is widely seen that everyone takes the product to increase their muscle power and strength. Pregnant women should strictly avoid taking these energy and bodybuilding supplements. Those who suffer from kidney problems may develop risk, if they consume creatine supplements. Unless physician suggests creatine supplements, no one should take it on their own wish or under friend’s recommendation.

PostHeaderIcon The Truth About Dr Oz and the Acai Berry



Many people first heard about the acai berry from the man dubbed “America’s Favorite Doctor” by Oprah Winfrey. That would be Dr. Mehmet Oz, a frequent guest on the Oprah show and the co-author of the “You” books such as “You, on a diet” and “You, staying young”.

With a recommendation from Dr. Oz the popularity of the acai berry has grown to sweeping proportions. Many people who are interested in health, nutrition, weight loss, anti-aging and more have searched for these berries and related berry products.

However, while it is absolutely true that Dr. Oz recommended this berry as being one of the healthiest foods found on earth, the fact is that he has not and doubtfully ever will endorse any specific and individual product, company or online solicitation of any such product including MonaVie juice products. If a product is claiming a recommendation from Dr. Oz or Oprah, be aware that the solicitation is false.

The fact is that this berry is actually a fruit and Dr. Oz proclaimed the high nutrition of the fruit. There is not any specific company that makes these products that has a right to use his endorsement. Dr. Oz has also made truthful claims about other foods such as white tea, red wine, broccoli, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

Dr. Oz has consistently mentioned the benefits of certain foods and he recommends that we eat about 5 servings of antioxidant-rich foods per day. He mentioned the acai berry as a great addition to our diets because it has twice the antioxidant content as a blueberry, which makes it a wonderful alternative to add to your diet. If you are choosing a juice product make sure that there is not an excessive amount of carbohydrates in the product.

Many top doctors and nutritionists have recommended the berry because it does contain such a wealth of antioxidants. It also contains a synergy of monounsaturated (the healthy kind) of fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols, which promote cardiovascular and digestive health and an almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals.

But just as Dr. Oz and others have not endorsed a particular brand of broccoli, a certain maker of wine or a brand of white tea, they have not endorsed a brand of acai berry products. They have only expressed the truthfulness of the high nutrition found in the berry itself.

There are many products out there that have the great benefits of this amazing fruit. However, the one thing that you should look for is a product that has been freeze-dried as that process is the best way to maintain the potency of the nutrients.

PostHeaderIcon Nutritional Supplements Will Improve Your Health



The American Medical Association now recommends that everyone take nutritional supplements every day.

With this change in policy, the AMA is now in agreement with what leading nutritionists and nutritional research scientists have been saying for years.

This reversal of policy is in agreement with what nutritional scientists have been stressing for years; our diets are so lacking in nutrients that they are the major cause of disease.

Our bodies are “closed systems”; that is, every nutrient needed for growth, health, wellness, and even survival must come from the food we eat.

Because of this we must look at the foods we eat as a measure of our health, especially our long term health.

As early as 1936 the Government reported on the impact of depleted soils. One excerpt from this report states:

“It is bad news to learn from our leading authorities that 99% of the American people are deficient in these minerals, and that a marked deficiency in anyone of the more important minerals actually results in disease. Any upset of the balance, any considerable lack of one or another element, however microscopic the body requirement may be, and we sicken, suffer, and shorten our lives.”

Diseases that we know today to be the leading cause of death; heart disease, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, etc., were virtually unknown 50 years ago.

Leading research scientists have demonstrated a direct link between these diseases and the food we eat.

Their virtually unanimous conclusion is that we simply do not get sufficient nutrients today necessary for a healthy long life.

Their conclusion is now supported by the AMA. To overcome the deficiencies their recommendation is to add nutritional supplements to everyone’s daily diet.

While the most commonly recognized nutritional supplements are vitamins, many more nutrients are classified as nutritional supplements. They include:

1) Minerals,

2) Amino acids,

3) Enzymes,

4) Essential fatty acids,

5) Fiber

The basic problem is that the only source of these nutrients that are absolutely essential for our health and wellbeing is the food we eat.

The primary source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that our bodies need for good health come from our farm soils. Today these are so depleted of nutrients that we simply don’t get what we need.

On top of that, the way we cook our food destroys any enzymes that might be available. Any cooking above 119 degrees F destroys enzymes.

The bottom line is that our food no longer is capable of providing the essential elements our bodies need.

Over 43% of Americans now take some form of nutritional supplements and this number is growing as the population ages.

This means that a large portion of Americans acknowledge some vitamin or mineral deficiency.

This is both a good thing and potentially hazardous to our health.

Taking a vitamin is certainly a step in the right direction; however it probably is an insufficient. It can even be argued that taking only one or two types of vitamins gives us the false impression that we are significantly improving our health.

Because all of our nutrients come from the same source, the soils of our farms, is it realistic to believe that our food is deficient in only one or two nutrients?

It is time that we re-think our approach to nutritional supplements. If we accept that our food is deficient in nutrients, we must acknowledge that it is deficient in most nutrients.

Picking and choosing specific vitamins is not the solution. Only a complete nutritional supplement will provide all the nutrients we need to improve our health and lead a long life.

PostHeaderIcon Who Can Benefit From Whey Protein Supplements?



You may have heard of whey protein supplements and wondered who can benefit from them, and if they will benefit you. Understanding a little about who they can benefit and how will ensure you don’t waste your money on something you can do without.

Most commonly, whey protein supplements tend to be used by people who are into bodybuilding or various strength, fitness and muscle building programs. Protein – as I’m sure you know – is a crucial part of building muscle. Most people simply don’t get enough quality protein in their everyday diet, and with the advent of junk food and processed meals, the quality and quantity of protein tends to go down and down.

Protein is called the building block of life, and is crucial for health and staying alive. Many people report feeling so much better and healthier when they begin getting in more good quality protein, so it’s worth anybody trying just for that bonus alone. Protein shakes offer a much more convenient way to get in good quality protein than preparing and eating meals, but you can also do this instead or as well as, if you wish.

For those who train with weights or train to build muscle mass or strength or speed, protein can be of great benefit. As the muscles become worn down through strenuous training, they attempt to repair and grow back bigger and stronger and fitter – and to do that they need protein. Anybody on a full bodybuilding program, for instance, will need to get in a lot of protein each day – usually 1g of protein per 1lb of bodyweight, is the minimum recommendation. Most people can’t consume that amount purely from food, so turn to protein supplements to help them, instead. And, most whey protein supplements aren’t second-rate nutrition, but are in fact the best source of protein you can find, which is why the top bodybuilders and athletes make extensive use of them.

PostHeaderIcon Facts About Creatine and Its Supplements



Creatine is an organic acid which is found in the body of all human beings. Creatine supplies energy to all the muscle cells in the body.

When creatine is taken as a dietary supplement, the capacity of the body to work gets enhanced. It helps in the contraction of muscles. Most of the creatine which is stored in the bodies of the human beings comes from the food which they eat. These mainly include food like fish and meat.

Creatine mainly gets synthesized in the liver. The endogenic synthesis of creatine in the liver of the human beings helps in the normal functioning of the body.

However, there can always be deficiency in the level of creatine in the body. In order to meet up this deficiency, several creatine supplements are available in the market. These supplements at least try to bring a balance in the level of creatine in the body. Several foods can also serve as supplements of creatine in the body.

Most of the creatine supplements generally use creatine in the form of creatine bound to a water molecule. In some cases, the supplements consist of a combination of creatine and carbohydrate. This helps to enhance the rate of absorption of the creatine.

There are plenty of benefits of the creatine supplements in the body. It has been investigated that the supplements of creatine help to treat muscular, neurological as well as neuromuscular diseases. At the same time, it has also been found that creatine is mixed with some other things to make the supplements. This mixture of creatine with some other material does not bring in the same health benefits like the actual creatine which is naturally produced by the liver.

Still, when there is deficiency, it is essential to go for the supplements. However, it is always suggested to take recommendation from some Doctor before going for the supplements. A physician probably would understand the deficiencies of the body and understand what exactly the body requires.

Nutrition books are available in the recent days to make the public aware of the health benefits of the intake of several nutrients. No doubt, a daily diet should have all the necessary nutrients to ensure healthy and overall development of the body. The nutrition books provide a good guideline as to the kind of foods and their amount of intake required. These nutrition books have helped the people a lot to know and understand about nutrition.

In order to get more information about creatine and its supplements, one can look in the internet. There are different online stores which helps the people to acquire information about different kinds of supplements. Most of these supplements are available for the overall health of the human beings. Apart from the supplements, one would also get several kinds of nutrition books. Customers would also be happy to find the prices of the supplements and the nutrition books extremely reasonable and affordable in the online stores compared to the physical stores.