Posts Tagged ‘natural’

Women and Joint Healthcare

Studies have shown that women experience more joint pain than men and in more areas of the body than men do. It is said that this is because women generally have less cartilage in their joints than men do. Another reason that women may experience more joint pain than men is because the breakdown of cartilage happens faster in women than in men.

Estrogen Offers Joint Support

Female hormones are believed to heighten a woman’s vulnerability to pain. Hormone fluctuations in the lifespan of a woman may give rise to joint pain and a greater need for joint support than men. It is important that women consider taking daily nutritional support through joint supplements.

Estrogen, a female hormone, is known to have joint supporting cartilage-protective properties. This is why women tend to experience joint pain after menopause when estrogen levels go down. It is also the reason why some women experience joint pain at the onset of menstruation when estrogen levels plummet. Joint supplements that contain glucosamine, taken regularly, can help alleviate the internal effects of hormonal fluctuations on joint health.

During maternity, estrogen levels peak and then drop in the post-partum phase which is when women most women experience joint pain. A joint support care program is essential during this phase. You will need to consult with your physician whether joint supplements may be taken during pregnancy and lactation.

Women Experience More Pain

There is a theory that explains why women are apt to experience more pain than men. Women, it appears, produce less endorphins than men. Endorphins are hormones that are known to be the body’s natural painkillers. If the production of endorphins is less it will result in experiencing more pain. Another cause suggests that women are more limber and loose-jointed than men and therefore incur more friction in the joints which accelerates joint degeneration. Joint supplements that contain well-researched ingredients such as boswellin and white willow bark can help to alleviate pain and inflammation often associated with joint pain.

Joint Care and Joint Supplements

Weight management is a major proponent for joint support. Maintaining a healthy weight will ease the pressure, especially on weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and ankles. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week and keep to a healthy diet. In addition, you may want to try joint supplements. Look for ingredients which have scientific support for promoting joint health and are known for their efficacy and safety.

A doctor-approved joint supplement like GoFlex comes with a topical cream that contains an Food and Drug Administration-approved ingredient called capsaicin. Topically applied, capsaicin is very effective as a fast pain reliever. Together with joint health supplement that nutritionally nourish your joints, these are every woman’s assets to enjoying a longer, healthier and safer joint support system.

GoFlex is a scientifically-based, physician-approved joint health supplement containing herbal and natural nutrients that specifically support vital joint functions for maintaining mobility and flexibility. GoFlex includes a joint health supplement and joint pain relief cream containing an Food and Drug Association-approved ingredient for fast-acting joint pain relief.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/women-and-joint-healthcare-1382151.html

4 Good Reasons to Discover DHA Supplements

Before you buy DHA supplements, take a little time to learn about the different ones on the market.  There might be better choices.  It really depends on why you are interested in supplementation.

For the Brain

In studies concerning depression, a combination of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid was shown to be more effective than either of the omega-3s, alone.  In the studies that focused on attention deficit disorders in children, fish oil was given.  Fish oil contains several different omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other fats.  The content varies.  So, it is important to read the label, carefully, before you buy.

DHA supplements derived from marine algae do not have the same complex nature that is found in natural fish oils.  There is reason to believe, as you’ll read about later in this article, that there is more to the health benefits of fish oil than the omega-3 content, alone.

For the Heart

DHA supplements have proven to be more effective in lowering total blood triglycerides and at improving the blood’s HDL (good) cholesterol concentration.  So, for that benefit, any of the supplements on the market will do.  But, in order to see a marked reduction in triglycerides, you would need to take about 3000mg per day.  The average supplement on the market contains only about 200mg.  The better fish oils contain about 280mg.  So, you can see that it is unfeasible to take 3000mg of DHA alone every day.

For the Baby

Pregnant and nursing women need more omega-3s than the average person.  Exactly how much has yet to be firmly established, but some doctors recommend a minimum of 500mg per day.

You would need a good fish oil supplement to get that much in two capsules.  Otherwise, you would need to take more and more might not be a good idea.  The safety of high doses of fish oil or high doses of other DHA supplements has yet to be verified.

For Your Joints

For your joints and for the rest of your body, the main benefit of the supplement is due to the anti-inflammatory activity.  There has been some debate about whether there is any “real” anti-inflammatory activity or if the benefits are due solely to modulating inflammation; preventing it from getting worse, you might say.

A recent study should put the debate to rest.  A regular fish oil supplement was shown to have about half the anti-inflammatory activity of aspirin.

A concentrated supplement was shown to have a little more anti-inflammatory activity, but surprisingly, to researchers, a supplement that contained a combination of the concentrated ester and the natural triglycerides had the most anti-inflammatory activity, even though the omega-3 content was lower.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/4-good-reasons-to-discover-dha-supplements-1377150.html

Discover Foods with DHA

Some people find it hard to believe that the only foods with DHA are seafood and fish.  How can something that is supposed to be so important to human health be available in such limited quantities?

When we think of other essential nutrients, things like vitamin C and calcium, we know that they are found abundantly throughout nature in meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.  Vegans will argue that it is possible to live a relatively long and healthy life without consuming fish.  So, how could it be considered an essential food?

The real answer to these questions and others like them is this.  Scientists don’t know.  They have theories about the role that seafood played in evolution.  They have reason to believe that the nutrient would have been present in the food chain, in things other than fish and seafood, before modern farming and feeding practices began.

In order to feed the population explosion, it became necessary to mass produce food.  Shortly after the world wars and the Great Depression, it became obvious that food shortage was a problem and would become an even bigger problem in the future.

In order to feed nations of hungry people, we gave up most of the non-fish foods with DHA, without any body realizing it.  At that time, starvation and outright nutritional deficiency diseases were big problems, everywhere.  Not just in underdeveloped nations.  Before scientists could begin thinking about the “ideal” human diet, they had to be able to figure out how to feed the baby boomers and the rest of the planet.

Mass production made it possible to produce grains, fruits and vegetables more cheaply, while making cattle and poultry fatter, so that they would feed more people.  As time went by, food producers learned that it was safer to raise chickens indoors, away from viruses and other sources of infection.

They fed grain to all of the farm animals, rather than grass, because the animals became fatter and brought higher prices at market.  That is really what reduced the number of foods with DHA and probably led to what we refer to as modern-day health problems; increased incidences of heart disease, type II diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s and various kinds of cancer.

As the mainstream medical community and food manufacturers have finally accepted that DHA itself is essential and cannot be replaced by even high intakes of ALA, the omega-3 found in vegetable oils, we have begun to see a few fortified foods with DHA.  In addition to infant formulas and baby food, there are a few dairy products and other items that have been fortified with the nutrient.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/discover-foods-with-dha-1377153.html

How much EPA and DHA should you take to be Healthy?

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you have no heart disease?  You will find the answer to that question and several others in this article.  The information here consists of doctor recommendations and/or the dosages used in clinical trials.

If you don’t have heart disease, cardiovascular specialists recently stated in the Journal of American Cardiology that you should take a minimum of 500mg per day.  When you are comparing supplements, you have to be careful.

The front of the bottle will show the amount of fish oil in each capsule, but the amount of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid, as well as the total omega-3s will be listed in the nutrient facts on the back of the label.  The concentration of omega-3s in a gram of fish oil, the average amount found in most of the supplements on the market, will vary from 40-90%.  The amount of individual omega-3s will vary, as well.

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you have high blood triglycerides and/or imbalanced cholesterol?  In one study, 3600mg of DHA lower blood triglycerides by 26%.  3180mg of EPA lowered them by 21%.  A slight, but significant increase in “good” HDL cholesterol levels was seen in both groups, but was a little higher in the DHA group.

The study was not actually designed to come up with a recommended daily dosage for average individuals, but to see which of the two omega-3s was most effective at lowering blood triglycerides and increasing HDL levels.  Good results have been seen with lower daily doses.

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you have heart disease or have suffered a heart attack?   Recommendations vary from 800-3000mg per day.  No one should take a high dose, unless they are under a physician’s care.

Research has shown that 3000mg of fish oil or three daily capsules is safe.  It also appears to be safe to combine the use of the therapy with the use of aspirin and blood thinners.  But, that approach should only be taken under the direction of a healthcare practitioner.

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you are pregnant or nursing?  The developing brain must have an adequate DHA-intake.  For that reason, many doctors are recommended a daily supplement or 500-1000mg per day.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/how-much-epa-and-dha-should-you-take-to-be-healthy-1377154.html

Learn what a Normal Dose of EPA or DHA is

What’s the normal dose of EPA or DHA?  That’s a question that has been difficult to answer, but cardiology researchers are trying to shed some light on the subject, because they are now sure that we can reduce our risk of primary and secondary heart disease, by increasing our intake of those specific omega-3 fatty acids.

Over the years, there have been dozens of studies concerning the benefit of omega-3s and fish oil, specifically, for heart health.  Researchers have been cautious about making broad statements.  No one wants the public to think that they can eat whatever they want; fail to get enough exercise and then take a fish oil supplement to make everything all better.  It doesn’t work that way.

What people can do is take a break from work or television time and go for a walk.  They can eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  They can choose fish and lean poultry, instead of beef and pork.

If they make those kinds of efforts and they take an adequate or normal dose of EPA or DHA fish oil every day, then they should reduce their risks of heart attack, heart failure and atherosclerosis.  They should have a lower risk of circulatory problems and type II diabetes, if they also make an effort to avoid junk food, which is devoid of nutrients and full of calories.

Drinking alcohol in moderation (no more than one or two drinks per day) is fine.  There may be particular health benefits related to the daily consumption of a glass of red wine, for the heart, the prostate and the prevention of various age-related diseases.

More and more, researchers are saying that eating simple carbohydrates is not okay, in even moderate amounts, regardless of whether or not a person takes the normal dose of EPA or DHA.  Simple carbs, which include breads, pastries, potatoes and polished grains like white rice, cause a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels, which sets of a chain reaction that ends with the production of Advance Glycation End-products or AGEs.

AGEs are dangerous to the brain and all of the cells of the body.  They are a major cause of cellular aging and despite all of the good things that a nutritional supplement like fish oil can do for you; it does not interfere with the production of AGEs.  You must cut the supply line by avoiding the simple carbs.

A normal dose of EPA or DHA should reduce inflammation in your body and inflammation is another major cause of cellular aging.  But, what is the correct dosage, anyway.

According to cardiologists, a person with no heart disease should have a daily goal of 500mg per day.  A person with heart disease or at risk for developing it should strive for 800-1000mg per day.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/learn-what-a-normal-dose-of-epa-or-dha-is-1377155.html

4 Good Reasons to Discover DHA Supplements

Before you buy DHA supplements, take a little time to learn about the different ones on the market.  There might be better choices.  It really depends on why you are interested in supplementation.

For the Brain

In studies concerning depression, a combination of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid was shown to be more effective than either of the omega-3s, alone.  In the studies that focused on attention deficit disorders in children, fish oil was given.  Fish oil contains several different omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other fats.  The content varies.  So, it is important to read the label, carefully, before you buy.

DHA supplements derived from marine algae do not have the same complex nature that is found in natural fish oils.  There is reason to believe, as you’ll read about later in this article, that there is more to the health benefits of fish oil than the omega-3 content, alone.

For the Heart

DHA supplements have proven to be more effective in lowering total blood triglycerides and at improving the blood’s HDL (good) cholesterol concentration.  So, for that benefit, any of the supplements on the market will do.  But, in order to see a marked reduction in triglycerides, you would need to take about 3000mg per day.  The average supplement on the market contains only about 200mg.  The better fish oils contain about 280mg.  So, you can see that it is unfeasible to take 3000mg of DHA alone every day.

For the Baby

Pregnant and nursing women need more omega-3s than the average person.  Exactly how much has yet to be firmly established, but some doctors recommend a minimum of 500mg per day.

You would need a good fish oil supplement to get that much in two capsules.  Otherwise, you would need to take more and more might not be a good idea.  The safety of high doses of fish oil or high doses of other DHA supplements has yet to be verified.

For Your Joints

For your joints and for the rest of your body, the main benefit of the supplement is due to the anti-inflammatory activity.  There has been some debate about whether there is any “real” anti-inflammatory activity or if the benefits are due solely to modulating inflammation; preventing it from getting worse, you might say.

A recent study should put the debate to rest.  A regular fish oil supplement was shown to have about half the anti-inflammatory activity of aspirin.

A concentrated supplement was shown to have a little more anti-inflammatory activity, but surprisingly, to researchers, a supplement that contained a combination of the concentrated ester and the natural triglycerides had the most anti-inflammatory activity, even though the omega-3 content was lower.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/4-good-reasons-to-discover-dha-supplements-1377161.html

What is DHA used for in Supplements?

What is DHA used for these days?  While the abbreviation could refer to a form of vitamin C, the active ingredient in self-tanning products or a coal tar derivative, it is most commonly used to refer to Docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.  Here’s where you’ll find it and what it’s good for.

The primary dietary source of Docosahexaenoic acid in the human diet is fish and seafood.  At one time, beef, poultry and eggs may have been a source of the nutrient, but as they have been taken off of grass and other greens, fed primarily corn and grain, the foods are no longer sources of the nutrient.  Any omega-3 that they contain is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA.

ALA is an essential fatty acid, but it is not used by the human body “as is”.  It is converted to Eicosapentaenoic acid, which through a series of steps may eventually be converted to Docosahexaenoic acid, but researchers believe that the conversion occurs only under severe circumstances.  They know that only a small amount is converted and that high intakes of ALA do not increase circulating blood levels of Docosahexaenoic acid, which makes it an essential fatty acid, too.

What is DHA used for in the human body?  It is a primary component of brain cells, neurons and the epithelium inside of the eye.  It is believed that regular fish and seafood consumption was what allowed man’s brain to become larger, in the first place.

Low levels of Docosahexaenoic acid are associated with Alzheimer’s and depressive disorders.  Those findings indicate that the nutrient is necessary for the continued health of the brain, not just during early childhood or during fetal development.

What is DHA used for by food manufacturers?  Primarily, it is a food additive.  Until recently, the main use was to fortify infant formulas.  Breast milk is rich in Docosahexaenoic acid.  Cow’s milk and soy, the basis of infant formulas, do not provide the nutrient.

What is DHA used for in the treatment and prevention of diseases?  That is a relatively new field of study, although it began over two decades, ago.  Arthritis, heart disease, and depression are just a few of the conditions that may benefit from  supplementation.

Most cardiologists agree that the primary benefit is in the area of heart disease prevention.  Exactly how much is necessary to provide the benefit is still unclear.  But, most doctors recommend a minimum daily intake of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid combined.

What is DHA used for?  It’s used by the human body to grow and live.  It is a nutrient essential for good health and long life.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-is-dha-used-for-in-supplements-1377164.html

Honest Fish Oil Reviews

Let’s face it.  There have literally been thousands of fish oil reviews conducted over the course of the last 70 years or so, that have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that omega-3 fatty acids are a tremendous boon to your health.  These anti-inflammatory nutrients have the ability to prevent some of the most serious ailments that we face, and to aid in the treatment of many others.

There is more than one type of omega fatty acid, with n-3 and n-6 fatty acids being predominant.  The reason that these essential nutrients were given the name fatty acids is that early on researchers found that they were essential to the normal growth of children and young animals.  It was discovered that both the n-3 and the n-6 fatty acids played a similar role in normal growth.

However, it was decided that more fish oil reviews needed to be conducted into the n-6 fatty acids at the time, because they were seen to play a much greater role in dermal integrity, renal function, and parturition.  It wasn’t until quite some time later that the n-3 fatty acids began to be studied in earnest, and that was when it was finally seen that they were the more important nutrient.

What was discovered about n-6s is that arachidonic acid is converted by the body into pro-inflammatory agents known as eicosanoids, which can be broken down into prostaglandins, thromboxanes, prostacyclins, and leukotrienes.  Eicosanoids have important biological functions, and their short life spans begin with synthesis from fatty acids and end in metabolism by enzymes.

Fish oil reviews have shown that if the rate of synthesis exceeds the rate of metabolism then the excess eicosanoids have a harmful effect on the body.  Omega-3 fatty acids are also converted into eicosanoids, only at a much slower rate.  Omega-3 eicosanoids are less inflammatory that n-6 eicosanoids are, and the two sets of omega fatty acids actually compete to be transformed.

You want the positive inflammatory features of the n-3 fatty acids to win out over the potentially harmful n-6 fatty acids, but in order to ensure that your body has a better chance for remaining healthy your intake of omega-3s must be much higher.  Any negative effect from an n-6 eicosanoid can be voided by the presence of an n-3 eicosanoid, which is very important to your body.

Fish oil reviews have noted that n-6 thromboxane is a significant factor in the clumping of platelets which leads to clotting.  The leukotrienes are important to the immune/inflammatory response system, which means that they are relevant to arthritis, asthma, and lupus.  Omega-3’s form anti-inflammatory molecules called resolvins, maresins, and omega-3 oxylipins, which explain the versatile health benefits of fish oil.

Make no mistake about it.  Fish oil reviews have proven that these anti-inflammatory omega-3 molecules act as preventative agents when it comes to such things as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and they are suspected of having a positive effect in the prevention of certain types of cancer as well.  Making sure that your body has an ample supply of DHA and EPA rich omega-3 fatty acids could mean all the difference when it comes to your health.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/honest-fish-oil-reviews-1370254.html

What does Fish Oil Do Really?

Let’s face it.  The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been widely talked about, but some people still ask the question, what does fish oil do?  It really surprises me sometimes how little some of us know about the preventative effect that high doses of omega-3 DHA and EPA fatty acids have on the body.  More and more evidence of the positive power of fish oil has been coming out since the 1970’s.

It was then when it was decided that someone should investigate how it was that Eskimos and Inuits had such a low incidence of cardiovascular disease, despite the fact that their daily dietary fat intake was many times what is considered healthy.  It turns out that the key to their good health is how high a percentage of their daily dietary fat intake is made up of DHA and EPA omega fatty acids.

The answer to what does fish oil do to promote cardiovascular health is that these compounds, and this is especially true of DHA, lower your triglyceride levels, lower blood pressure, reduce your heart rate, prevent arrhythmia, stimulate blood flow, and prevent platelets from sticking together and causing clots.  Omega-3 fatty acids also prevent hardening of the arteries.

It has been evaluated that diets emphasizing traditional native foods were associated with a far healthier fatty acid profile than diets emphasizing Western foods.  The sad thing is that as the Inuits and Yupik people become further influenced by the practices of the West their health has been shown to be beginning to decline.  It is believed that starch and simple sugars may be contributing to the higher incidence of obesity and disease.

So, what does fish oil do for you other than provide you with a healthier cardiovascular system?  DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids are involved in the cognitive development and maintenance of healthy cognitive function also.  They have been proven to have a positive effect on mood disorders such as depression, hostility, and aggression, and have even been shown to have benefits when it comes to treating schizophrenia.

Omega-3 fatty acids have also been found to have a preventative effect so far as Alzheimer’s disease.  It has been discovered that one of the precursors of the development of Alzheimer’s is the formation of amyloid plaques in the frontal cortex of the brain.  It has been scientifically proven that high levels of DHA in the system prevent these amyloid plaque deposits from forming.

Now that you have the answer to what does fish oil do, you have to make that you are getting it into system.  The safest way to do this is through taking a prepared dietary fish oil supplement, rather than trying to eat more fish.  There are often high levels of toxic contamination in fish, which you will not find in a molecularly distilled omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

What does fish oil do?  It guarantees that you will have far better health than you would have without it.  Omega-3 fatty acids simply do amazing things for your body.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-does-fish-oil-do-really-1370256.html

Acai Berry Weight Loss

Acai Berry weight loss products have become extremely popular the world over in recent times. The Acai Berry grows in the Amazon Rain Forrest where the Brazilians have harvested it for centuries. It is dark purple in colour and is about the size of a small grape. This amazing little fruit contains a huge amount of antioxidants, fibre, amino acids and omega acids. The Acai Berry has been called a super food because it provides a wide and varied spectrum of health benefits.

So how do Acai Berry weight loss products work? Well, the fibre in the fruit helps to move food through your body in a more efficient manner and it also helps to make you feel satisfied, or full, after a meal. Amino acids aid your body in utilising the protein you ingest and protein helps your body to build and maintain muscle mass. If you have healthy muscles this will help you to burn fat more efficiently. The omega acids contained in the Acai berry will help to speed up your metabolism, which in turn will help you to burn fat more quickly than you would normally.

Apart from being a great aid to weight loss, the Acai Berry is known to have many other health benefits. Because of its’ high content of antioxidants it can help your body to combat the growth of cancer cells, promote healthy looking radiant skin, help to increase your energy levels and fight off fatigue as well as being very beneficial for your immune system.

Please visit Acai Berry for natural supplements to help you reach your weight loss goals.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/acai-berry-weight-loss-1372403.html