Useful Best Multivitamins Articles on Minerals and Supplements. - Page 6 of 7 - Best Multivitamins for Men and Women Reviews and Comparisons

Find Out What Does Potassium Do In Our Body

by admin on June 24, 2011

When you think of potassium, most people do not generally think of an essential mineral that is necessary for human life. Potassium occurs all over the earth and is essential for all life, growth and development within the life span.

Purpose

In the human body, potassium is found in body fluids and tissue and is necessary for biological processes. As an essential mineral, it is necessary to regulate fluids and electrolytes in the body. This mineral is also necessary for controlling acidity levels in the body as well as blood pressure and neuromuscular functioning. Normal functioning depends on a delicate balance of the proper potassium levels both on the inside and outside of the cells.

Potassium is necessary for transmitting electrical impulses in the human heart. One theory behind high blood pressure is that the average diet contains too much sodium which is worsened by a diet low in potassium.

Source of Potassium

If you are trying to increase the amount of potassium in your diet the primary food sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables. This is probably one of the reasons why a vegetarian diet prevents high blood pressure.

The primary sources of dietary potassium are both fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, kelp, rice and wheat bran, potatoes, bananas, orange juice, apricots, unsalted nuts, seeds and grains, mushrooms, molasses and seafood. It is important to be aware of your cooking conditions if you are trying to increase your potassium levels because it can be lost easily through certain cooking methods.

Deficiency

The best way to retain potassium is by cooking in a small amount of water for a short period of time. It is rare to be deficient in potassium if you eat a balanced diet. However if you do not eat many fruits, or have gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea or prolonged diuretic or laxative use, you are more likely to experience a deficiency. If you are deficient in potassium you will have extreme fatigue and muscle weakness.

Other symptoms of a deficiency in potassium are depression, growth impairment, headaches, insomnia, acne, dry eyes, respiratory problems, and decreased fertility. It is important to stay away from a diet that is high in salt and refined foods. If you take diuretics or drink large amounts of water you may also flush your body of potassium.

Risk

It is rare that you would need a potassium supplement as long as you are healthy and eat a balanced diet. If you ingest too much potassium you could be at risk for hyperkalemia which occurs when there is more potassium than the kidneys can handle. This is a serious condition that may lead to death.

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Mineral Facts About Magnesium

by admin on June 24, 2011

Have you ever examined a multivitamin label and wondered what magnesium does for the body? For people who do not know a lot about the effects of vitamins and minerals on the body, magnesium tends to be an nutrient that confuses them. However, magnesium is a very important mineral for the body and should be included in every multivitamin and maybe even supplemented.

Functions

Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body and has many uses. Virtually every cell in our bodies requires and uses magnesium for efficient functioning! It is needed for healthy bones, to form proteins and fatty acids. Magnesium is necessary for new cell formation, as well as activating the B vitamins in the body. The body uses magnesium for relaxing muscles and clotting blood, and it also aids in insulin production as well.

Because magnesium acts in a way that is similar to calcium channel blocker drugs, it has been used successfully in improving vision for glaucoma patients. Magnesium deficiencies have been linked to hyperactivity disorder in children as well as attention deficit disorder. Children who suffer from these attention disorders may benefit from an increase in magnesium.

Deficiencies

Deficiencies in this mineral have also been linked to patients who have chronic fatigue syndrome. Injections of magnesium have been shown to improve this condition. Because magnesium is necessary for insulin production, diabetics may have low magnesium levels and treatment with magnesium may help create some improvement in glucose tolerance. Magnesium may also help women who experience bladder problems or feelings of urgency with the bladder.

Source of Magnesium & Recommended Intake

The best source of magnesium can be found naturally in nuts and grains, however it can also be found in beans, dark green leafy vegetables, fish and meat. Most people do not consume enough magnesium in their daily diets so it is recommended to supplement with 250 to 350 mcg per day. You should be able to find a multivitamin that contains the recommended amount of magnesium.

It is also advised to take a vitamin B6 supplement with magnesium in order to help with the absorption of the mineral. If you decide to take magnesium supplements it is important to not take too much, as high doses of magnesium may lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.

In conclusion, magnesium is an essential mineral to the body and it is very important that you have the recommended amounts of it included in your diet, or in a supplement form in order to keep all the cells in your body functioning optimally.

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Facts About Iron

by admin on June 24, 2011

If you are feeling lethargic or lacking in energy, do not simply assume that you are not getting enough sleep at night. A chronic lack of energy may be symptom of an iron deficiency and should be checked out by a doctor. Iron is a mineral that is essential to human life and it is very important for the body’s proper functioning to receive adequate amounts of iron.

Function
Iron is present in every living cell because it is responsible for forming hemoglobin which carries oxygen from lungs all over the body to the cells. When you do not have adequate amounts of oxygen, the body cannot produce enough normal red blood cells to keep the body in good health. When this occurs, it is called an iron deficiency or more commonly, Anemia.

Iron is responsible for providing energy to our bodies and keeping them in peak performance. Iron is also responsible for growth, promotes the metabolism of protein in the body and improves respiratory action as well as mental acuity and the skin tone. It is important to receive enough iron in order to maintain a strong immune system and keep the body resistant to disease.

Iron Deficiency
It is not uncommon to suffer from an iron deficiency, especially in people who do not consume meat, such as vegetarians. A lack of iron is likely to lead to fatigue, or unusual tiredness, a shortness of breath and a decrease in physical performance. It may also be noticed that patients with a lack of iron experience learning difficulties, particularly in children.

If you are deficient in iron, the first symptom that will likely notice is a difference in your energy levels. Tiredness is one of the most common symptoms of a lack of energy. Iron deficiency is not generally caused by a dietary problems alone. Typically there is an underlying cause such as child birth, major surgery, or heavy menstrual periods that trigger an iron deficiency. Some people may have a higher need for iron, such as those who have bleeding problems, stomach problems, or people who are very athletic such as marathon runners, and pregnant women.

Source of Iron
Iron can be found naturally in meats, fish, eggs, oysters, poultry, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains and iron enriched products.

Risk?
If you consume too much iron it may be damaging to your body such as constipation, increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Recommended Intake
For iron, the highest safe level is 45mg, from supplements and food combined. If you are a meat eater, a 25mg mutlivitamin supplement will ensure adequate level for your body. It is not generally advisable to take an iron supplement unless prescribed your doctor.

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Facts About Free Radicals

by admin on June 24, 2011

There is a lot of talk these days about free radicals and antioxidants. So what exactly are free radicals? What do they mean to you and your health? Free radicals are natural compounds that occur in the environment and are formed in the body.

They are very unstable compounds because they tend to carry a lot of expendable energy. When a free radical reduces or releases their energy into the body, they effectively interfere with certain cells in the body, by reacting with the natural chemicals in the system.

When free radicals interact with the chemicals in the body, they will also interfere with normal cell functioning and can lead to a wide variety of problems. In fact, free radicals have been associated with at least sixty different health conditions, ranging from wrinkles and premature aging to more serious conditions such as cancer.

So where do free radicals come from? Well the answer may surprise you. Free radicals occur naturally in the body during metabolism. However many other free radicals enter the our system through other external sources. Some of the common sources of free radicals are: industry pollution, excess sun exposure, cosmic rays, x-rays, heavy metals, ozone, car exhaust, cigarette smoke, alcohol and chemical compounds.

Free radicals have been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, premature aging and wrinkles and many other diseases.

Is there anything to be done against free radicals? There is a defense system from free radical damage, and they are called antioxidants. Typically your body can handle the free radicals in the body, however if there are not enough antioxidants available, your body will have trouble fighting off the free radicals and suffer the damages.

It is very important to your overall health to lower your exposure to free radical sources such as stress, cigarettes, alcohol, air pollution, too much sunlight, radiation and virus infection. At the same time it is also important that you increasing your antioxidant reserves in order to defend your body against the damaging effects of free radicals.

While medical opinions vary on the importance of antioxidants in extending life and improving the quality of life, it is a healthy practice to ensure that your body receives enough antioxidants.

It is essential that you consume healthy amounts of your fruits and vegetables in order to receive adequate antioxidants in the body. The best supplements and vitamins for antioxidants are manganese, zinc, copper, and selenium.

Some other vitamins that are antioxidant rich are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, Vitamin B2, and coenzyme Q10. Most of these vitamins can be found in a healthy diet that is rich in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

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What Are Folic Acids? B9

by admin on June 24, 2011

You might have heard someone tell you to supplement your diet with a folic acid supplement especially if you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant. In fact, over the last few years, folic acid has been heavily marketed to women of child bearing age, and for good reason. However, folic acid can benefit everyone.

Functions

Folic acid is actually a B vitamin, B9 to be exact, and it is essential for cell growth and reproduction. It is also vital in the formation of DNA and RNA building blocks which is important as the body create genetic information.

Pregnant?

Because of these reasons, when the body is rapidly creating tissues or regenerating cells, such as red blood cells and immune cells, there is an increased need for folic acid. There has been increased interest in folic acid in relation to pregnancy in recent years due to the fact that the fetus undergo tremendous amount of cell reproduction and growth.

Because there can be quite a gap between the time when a women conceives and discovers the pregnancy, it is recommended that all women of child bearing age supplement their diets with folic acid. Studies have shown that it may be too late to reap the benefits of folic acid by the time a women discovers the pregnancy.

Folic acid deficiencies have been linked to low birth weight babies, and an increased rate of neural tube defects. By supplementing with 400mcg of folic acid, pregnant women may be able to prevent or reduce the likelihood of heart defects, upper lip and mouth deformities, urinary tract defects and limb reduction issues.

Who else can benefit from Folic Acid?

It has been proven that folic acid can keep homocysteine levels in the blood from rising, and therefore prevent heart disease. Deficiencies in folic acid have also been discovered in patients with peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease.

In 1996 the FDA regulated that all flour, rice, and pasta products be enriched with folic acid. This was an attempt to help people who do not regularly supplement their diets gain adequate folic acid dosage. It has since been found that the amount that the products are being enriched is not enough, and supplementing is still being encouraged, particularity with pregnant women.

Source of Folic Acid & Recommended Intake

Folic acid is found in beans, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beets, wheat germ and meat products. Supplementation has been found to be a very effective way to get enough folic acid and it is recommended that women of child bearing age take 400mcg, and otherwise healthy people should be fine with 100mcg.

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Supplementing Calcium? Learn More First.

by admin on June 24, 2011

Most people have heard of calcium. Remember when you were little and your mom told you to drink all your milk so that you could grow big and strong? Well, your mom likely knew what she was talking about! Milk is full of calcium, and calcium is essential to strong teeth and bones.

History

First discovered in 1808, calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and 99% of the body’s calcium content is concentrated in the bones and teeth with the remaining 1% found in body tissues and fluids where it is used for cell metabolism, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.

Purpose

As most of us are aware, the main purpose of calcium is structural, that is for forming the bones and teeth of the body. Calcium is so vital to the human body that the body will actually de-mineralize bone in order to maintain normal calcium levels if levels are low. When this happens, bones will lose strength and structural integrity leading to disease such as osteoporosis.

Besides the very important function of creating strong bones and teeth, calcium is also essential for the beating of the heart, blood coagulation, glandular secretion and maintaining immune function. A recent study also showed that calcium may help fight the battle against obesity. The reason behind it is that a high calcium diet can effectively aid in burning fats.

Sources of Calcium

While milk is an excellent source of calcium there are many other choices for calcium rich foods. Other dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and even ice cream are excellent sources of calcium, as are leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, tofu and dried fruit. The best way to maintain an adequate amount of calcium in your body is to eat a wide variety of foods rich in the mineral. But most of the time our diets are not sufficient enough to provide us with the recommended intake of calcium. Even the celebrity doctor, Dr. Oz claimed that we can get enough amounts of the mineral through supplements.

What Happens if there is a deficiency?

If you are calcium deficient, you will be at higher risk for bone disorders such as osteoporosis which is a disease that tends to affect women more than men; however anyone can be at risk. If you have osteoporosis you will suffer from reduced bone density which leads to easy fracture, and damage to the spine. It is essential to a healthy spine that there is enough calcium in your diet. Calcium deficiency has also been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, preeclampsia and colon cancer.

If you eat a wide variety of healthy foods you may not need to supplement with calcium at all. However, if you have a family history of calcium deficiency related diseases, or do not receive enough calcium in your diet it would be a good idea to supplement. Other factors contributing to calcium deficiency are: coffee and alcohol consumption, sugar or diuretic medicines. Stress may also reduce the amount of calcium that is absorbed.

But you must also be careful that you give yourself healthy levels of calcium and not go too far with it because that could also lead to adverse reactions, such as constipation. But you can balance it when you take magnesium. It is recommended that individuals take 1,200 mg of calcium and 600-800 mg of magnesium.

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What You Need To Know About Beta Carotene?

by admin on June 24, 2011

All About Beta Carotene

Did your mother ever tell you to eat your carrots if you wanted to see better at night? If so, your mother knew what she was talking about! Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a substance that is partially responsible for improving night vision among other things.

Is it Vitamin A?
Technically speaking, beta-carotene is not a vitamin. Beta-carotene is part of the chemical family of carotenoids and it converts inside the body into vitamin A.

Beta-carotene is a very safe and naturally occurring source of vitamin A, and you can find the richest sources of beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables. Vegetables that are dark green, orange, red and yellow are rich in beta-carotene, as well as orange and red fruits.

What’s the Risk?
The breakdown of beta-carotene to vitamin A occurs in the liver, and although there is no real risk of overdosing on beta carotene, excess beta-carotene is stored in the fat reserves in your body and may give your skin an orange or yellow tinge.

Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and it has been linked with reducing the risks of cancer, increasing the immune system function, and preventing heart disease.

Because beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, it is useful for increasing night vision and even curing night blindness, and curing photosensitivity. There have been some early studies that show that beta-carotene may be linked to curing cystic fibrosis and arthritis.

Although it is possible to supplement with beta-carotene, there is really no need to take an artificially manufactured supplement. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables you should receive more than enough beta carotene in your daily diet. If you do choose to supplement with a manufactured beta carotene supplement, be sure to use caution. The synthetic form of beta-carotene is not nearly as rich in antioxidant properties as the naturally occurring beta carotene. Most beta-carotene that is found in multi-vitamins or supplements are synthetic.

Smokers Take Note!

The main difference between natural and synthetic forms is that natural beta carotene is comprised of two molecules while synthetic only has one. It is imperative that if you smoke, you do not supplement with artificially manufactured beta carotene! It has been linked to lung cancer in smokers, and it should be avoided until further research has been done.

Early studies show that beta-carotene oxidizes in the lungs with the free radicals from the cigarette smoke, and the antioxidant capacity is actually all used up, causing more harm than good.

In conclusion, beta-carotene acts as an excellent anti-oxidant, however it is most effective in its natural state. There is no major reason to supplement with beta carotene if you eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. The best way to include beta-carotene in supplement form is as a multivitamin and we recommend Total Balance.

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What Are Antioxidants? Learn More.

by admin on June 24, 2011

Antioxidants Explained & Why Your Body Need It

Antioxidants are an army of soldiers your body relies on daily for its protection against the ‘enemies’ inside and outside of your body. Daily, we are exposed to pollution, exhaust fumes, toxins in our environment, cigarette smoke, highly processed foods, pesticides, herbicides, and more pollutants that occur in our environment which is doing damage everyday and every time that we are exposed to it.

Pollution and environmental toxins are full of free radicals which invade the body and gradually create damage. The human body produces antioxidants which fight off free radicals and keep the body healthy, however as time goes on, more and more free radicals are being produced and entering our bodies which reduces the amount of antioxidants that are available to fight them.

Free radicals cause a variety of problems for the human body including, premature aging, poor circulation, mental detritions, liver damage, a lack of energy, bruising, heart disease and even cancer.

Replenishing

It is imperative that the body has a plentiful store of antioxidants to draw from in order to effectively fight the free radicals that invade the body. Because of the constant bombardment of environmental stresses on the body, the antioxidants are being used up and it becomes necessary for us to ingest antioxidants in order to help fight the war on free radicals.

Source of AntiOxidants

Fortunately there are many sources of antioxidants that are available to us. Some common sources are Vitamin E which is found in wheat germ oil, nuts and seeds, whole grains, egg yolks, and leafy green vegetables and Vitamin C which can be found in broccoli, citrus fruits, brussel sprouts, potatoes, parsley and strawberries. Beta carotene which can be found in dark green leafy vegetables and orange and yellow vegetables, lutein is found in kale, leeks, spinach, collard greens, romaine lettuce, peas and egg yolks, and lycopene which is found primarily in tomatoes, are also great sources.

Vitamin B2 which is commonly found in dairy products, eggs and meat products. Coenzyme Q10 which is found in fish and meat and cysteine which is found in most high protein foods are also excellent antioxidants. Herbs such as bilberry, turmeric, and grape seed are also rich sources of antioxidants.

Our Recommendation

Antioxidants taken through supplements are not as potent as those delivered via fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The best way to ensure that your body has enough antioxidants is to consume a wide variety of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and herbs to properly arm yourself against free radicals. But be sure to load up on fruits and vegetables too. We choose to take Total Balance by Xtend Life as it is specifically formulated to fight free radicals.

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Best Natural Sleep Supplements For Better Sleep?

by admin on June 24, 2011

Stop Insomnia Through Natural Sleep Supplements

Natural sleep supplements may be used to provide you some relief from insomnia. This is particularly true if you are deficient in certain vitamins, amino acids, minerals, or enzymes that are necessary for a good night sleep.

The following sleep dietary supplements can help you achieve a restful sleep:

• Calcium: When combined with food, calcium can have a sedative effect on your body. Calcium deficiencies in your body can cause wakefulness and restlessness. The recommended amount of calcium supplement per day is 600mg. It should be taken along with food and may be combined with a magnesium supplement

• Magnesium: Take a magnesium supplement of 250g each day. This can help induce sleep since a magnesium deficiency can cause nervousness which may prevent you from sleeping. Studies show that low levels of magnesium can lead to shallower sleep and cause you to wake more during the night. Try to add magnesium-rich foods to your diet. This includes wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, and kelp.

• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): 50 to 100mg of Vitamin B6 per day can help prevent insomnia. Your body needs adequate B6 in order to produce serotonin which is required for the sleep-triggering hormone called melatonin. An excellent source of vitamin B6 is a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast which can be stirred into a glass of fruit juice.

• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): This is another important supplement in the cure for insomnia. If you are deficient in this vitamin you may experience confusion, loss of memory, and a general feeling of tiredness. The recommended daily dose is 25mg and can be combined with Vitamin B5. Good choices of Vitamin B12 and B5 can be found in walnuts, sunflower seeds, bananas, tuna, wheat germ, peanuts, and whole grains.

• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): This vitamin is good for relieving stress and anxiety. Deficiency of B5 can cause sleep disturbances and fatigue. The daily recommended dose is 100 mg.

• Folic Acid: A deficiency of folic acid may be a contributing factor to insomnia. The recommended daily dose is 400 micrograms. Folic acid can be found naturally in orange juice, leafy green vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, and beans. It should be noted that the synthetic form of folic acid found in over-the-counter vitamins is more easily used by your body than the natural product.

• Copper: Studies show that a low intake of copper in pre-menopausal women may inhibit them from falling asleep quickly. The study showed that those women who received a 2mg copper supplement each day fell asleep faster and felt more rested in the morning. You are probably getting 1 mg of copper each day which wouldn’t cause much of a deficiency to cause any obvious symptoms but may be affecting the way that you sleep. Try to include more copper in your diet. Some of the best sources are cooked oysters and lobster.

On top of a well-balanced diet you should may want to add the above supplements to your diet for a short period of time to see if you notice a significant difference. For that we would like to recommend you one of the best natural sleep supplements called Neuro Natural Sleep manufactured by Xtend Life.

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Best Natural Cholesterol Supplements For Lowering Cholesterol

by admin on June 24, 2011

Lower Your Cholesterol Through These Natural Cholesterol Supplements

If you are worried about the side effects of pharmaceutical cholesterol-lowering drugs consider the following alternative remedies. Research done in lab settings is providing good evidence that there are several effective herbs found in most natural cholesterol supplements that can help lower LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) and raise HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) or “good” cholesterol. It is especially good for those who do not react well to traditional pharmaceutical cholesterol-lowering medications.

Policosanol is considered to be a safe and effective treatment to lower LDL cholesterol. While preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol it promotes normal blood flow. It comes from sugar cane wax and has been studied in-depth for some 10 years. Human trials are published in North American and International medical journals.

Guggul gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree is used to treat obesity. This same remedy is used to help lower cholesterol and decrease blood pressure. Guggul is also named Gugulipid and Gum guggulu. The botanical name is Commiphora mukul. Guggul is used to lower elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. The active ingredients are resin, volatile oils, and gum.

Pantethine is also a very promising cholesterol-lowering substance. It has significantly reduced serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL_cholesterol or “bad cholesterol” levels. It increases HDL or “good cholesterol” levels in several clinical trials. Pantethine has the further advantage of not producing the undesirable side effects of synthetic lipid lowering drugs.

Curcumin is also very promising. It is a very strong antioxidant with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cholesterol lowering properties. Curcumin is an extract from the every day kitchen spice Turmeric and has a number of health benefits.

Garlic has been proven effective by a standard double-blind placebo controlled study. At 900 mg daily garlic will significantly slow the development of atherosclerosis (You can read about this study in the journal article: Koscielny J, Klussendorf D, Latza R, et al. The antiatherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum. Atherosclerosis. 1999;144:237–249).

Omega 3/Fish Oil has been shown to be beneficial for heart health and brain function. Dr. Fran Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health has published studies that suggest that high consumption of fish (4-5 times a week) cuts the risk of women dying from heart disease by 45 percent compared to women who rarely ate fish.

Beta_Sitosterol when taken at 300 mgs twice a day will help to lower blood serum cholesterol and triglycerides, even with few diet changes and little or no exercise.

Psyllium seeds are a common ingredient in bulk laxative products. Studies have shown that psyllium can lower LDL cholesterol. This study showed improvement for both children and adults.

Soy Protein benefits heart heath. To achieve the best results, eat at least four servings of 6.25 grams of soy protein or 25 grams per day. For those with high cholesterol levels of 260-300, soy protein will reduce cholesterol by 15-25%. Countries that enjoy diets rich in soy proteins – and this includes countries such as Japan – have populations that suffer less from cancers, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

Other remedies believed to help reduce LDL cholesterol include:

• Vitamin E and C • Green Tea • Licorice Extract • Aspirin (80 mg a couple of times per week) • Extra Virgin Oil (1 tablespoon daily)

Find one of the best natural cholesterol supplements called Lipi-Rite manufactured by Xtend Life here.

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