Vitamins, Antioxidants, and Supplements

Taurine, more than an energy drink additive

2008-09-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

If you have purchased an energy drink lately, you probably have read that it contains taurine. The interesting thing is that taurine is actually a mild sedative, it just so happens that it also aids in the movement of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium in and out of cells which great helps activate the body.

So what is taurine? It is actually one of the lesser-known amino acids. One can find it high in foods like meat and fish proteins.

Taurine functions in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart to help stabilize cell membranes. It also has functions in the gallbladder, eyes, and blood vessels and appears to have some antioxidant and detoxifying activity. Taurine is found in the central nervous system, skeletal muscle, and heart; it is very concentrated in the brain and high in the heart tissues.

Taurine is known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and its main use has been to help treat epilepsy and other excitable brain states. Research shows low taurine levels at seizure sites and its anti-convulsant effect comes from its ability to stabilize nerve cell membranes, which prevents the erratic firing of nerve cells.

In Japan, taurine therapy is used in the treatment of ischemic heart disease with supplements of 5–6 grams daily in three divided doses. Low taurine and magnesium levels were found in patients after heart attacks. Taurine has potential in the treatment of arrhythmias, especially arrhythmias secondary to ischemia. People with congestive heart failure have also responded to a dosage of 2 grams three times daily with improved cardiac and respiratory function. Other possible cardiovascular uses of taurine include hypertension, possibly related to effects in the renin-angiotensin system of the kidneys, and in patients with high cholesterol levels. Taurine helps gallbladder function by forming tauracholate from bile acids; tauracholate helps increase cholesterol elimination in the bile.

Other possible uses for taurine include immune suppression (by sparing L-cysteine), visual problems and eye disease, cirrhosis and liver failure, depression, male infertility due to low sperm motility, and as a supplement for newborns and new mothers. Overall, the dosage used may range from 500 mg. to 5–6 grams, with the higher amounts needed for the cardiovascular problems and possibly epilepsy.

It has been established that taurine concentration is extraordinarily high in the developing brain, and falls of sharply thereafter. This occurs at a time when the presumed synthetic pathway, via cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase, has little measurable activity, suggesting that a dietary source of taurine is essential. Moreover, it has been found that high concentrations of taurine are present in breast milk.

Is taurine more than a Red Bull soft drink additive? You bet.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Thiamin for Nervous Disorders

2008-09-16T14:13:00.001-07:00

Thiamin (also spelled "thiamine") is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin, previously known as vitamin B1 or aneurine. Thiamin may most commonly be known for treating Beriberi.

But Thiamin is involved in other body functions, including: nervous system and muscle functioning; flow of electrolytes in and out of nerve and muscle cells (through ion channels); multiple enzyme processes (via the coenzyme thiamin pyrophosphate); carbohydrate metabolism; and production of hydrochloric acid (which is necessary for proper digestion). Because there is very little thiamin stored in the body, depletion can occur as quickly as within 14 days.

So how does Thiamine play an important role in nervous disorders? Researchers feel it is because of its role in the synthesis of acetylcholine (via the production of acetyl CoA), an important neurotransmitter. With a lack of vitamin B1, the nerves are more sensitive to inflammation. It is said therefore, that increased Thiamine intake may be suggested for numerous mental illnesses and problems that affect the nerves. These include alcoholism and its nerve problems, multiple sclerosis, Bell's palsy (a facial nerve paralysis), and neuritis. Treatment with thiamine, for example, has been helpful in decreasing the sensory neuropathy that accompanies diabetes and in lessening the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. Thiamine also has a mild diuretic effect and is supportive of heart function, so it is suggested in the treatment program for many cardiovascular problems.

Since Thiamine is eliminated through the skin somewhat, doses of over 50-100 mg. per day may help repel insects such as flies and mosquitos from those with "sweet blood." Other uses for increased Thiamine include treatment of stress and muscle tensions, diarrhea, fever and infections, cramps, and headaches

Thiamine is used commonly to improve healing after dental (or, often, any) surgery.

Dietary sources of Thiamin include beef, brewer's yeast, legumes (beans, lentils), milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, rice, seeds, wheat, whole grain cereals, and yeast. In industrialized countries, foods made with white rice or white flour are often fortified with thiamin (because most of the naturally occurring Thiamin is lost during the refinement process).

Conditions resulting in an increased requirement for Thiamin include strenuous physical exertion, fever, pregnancy, breast-feeding, and adolescent growth. Such conditions place individuals with marginal Thiamin intake at risk for developing symptomatic Thiamin deficiency.

Recently, malaria patients in Thailand were found to be severely thiamin deficient more frequently than non-infected individuals. Malarial infection leads to a large increase in the metabolic demand for glucose. Because Thiamin is required for enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, the stresses induced by malarial infection could exacerbate Thiamin deficiency in predisposed individuals. HIV-infected individuals, whether or not they had developed AIDS, were also found to be at increased risk for Thiamin deficiency. The lack of association between Thiamin intake and evidence of deficiency in these HIV-infected individuals suggests that they had an increased requirement for Thiamin.

Is Thiamin merely a supplement that helps with rare diseases? It seems not as scientists are discovering more and more how it benefits the body.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

2008-09-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

Balancing out your hormones, if you are a woman, can be tricky business. Yet, when your hormones are off, it can affect you physically, mentally and emotionally in ways that are inexplicable.

The one thing we are hearing more about, especially among women in the United States and more developed countries is estrogen dominance. What is estrogen dominance – it is when the body doesn’t have enough opposing progesterone to lower estrogen levels during the second half of the menstrual cycle. And why would it be a bigger problem in developed countries? It is thought it is due to what is called xenoestrogens, manmade chemicals that mimic estrogen that we consume from our environment – which means that we aren’t necessarily getting enough progesterone but just way too much estrogen.

These hormones can be in our water and food and possibly the usage of birth control pills.

Pesticides are perhaps the biggest source of xenoestrogens. Most bioaccumulate, meaning they are stored in fat cells of fish, poultry and other food sources in increasing concentration until they reach the top of the food chain — where you and I consume them! They are highly estrogenic, and some experts estimate that the average American ingests over a pound of pesticides a year.

A second major source of xenoestrogens is the many growth hormones given to livestock and poultry, most of which contain fat-soluble estrogens. When we consume those animals or their milk, we ingest that estrogen. Organochlorides like dioxin (a by-product of chlorine when it is burned or processed), PCB’s, PVC’s, and some plasticizers are just a few of the many manmade chemicals that act like estrogen in our bodies. Many others have the effect of interrupting our normal endocrine function, hence the term “endocrine disruptors.”

So what are the symptoms of having too much estrogen? Anxiety, breast tenderness, cyclical headaches or migraines, irregular bleeding, water retention, weight gain and more. (Note that a number of these symptoms are also indicative of the exact opposite condition — a deficiency of estrogen — another example of why the concept of estrogen dominance is too simplistic.)

If estrogen levels stay unopposed, women may develop infertility, endometriosis, amenorrhea (skipped periods), hypermenorrhea (heavy bleeding), fibroids, uterine cancer, heart disease and stroke, and decreased cognitive ability, among other conditions.

How can we help ourselves with estrogen dominance? One can start with putting more fiber in our diet. A low-fiber diet causes estrogen levels to be higher, while a diet high in fiber results in decreased estrogen levels in the bloodstream. Why? Excess estrogen is excreted in the bowel. When stool remains in the bowel for a longer time, the estrogen is reabsorbed. Studies have shown that women on a vegetarian/high-fiber diet have lower levels of circulating estrogen. Lower levels of estrogen mean less estrogen stimulation of breast tissue, for example, which reduces the risk of breast cancer.

We can also help strengthen our liver. The liver is a filter of sorts. It detoxifies our body, protecting us from the harmful effects of chemicals, elements in food, environmental toxins, and even natural products of our metabolism, including excess estrogen. Anything that impairs liver function or ties up the detoxifying function will result in excess estrogen levels, whether it has a physical basis, as in liver disease, or an external cause, as with exposure to environmental toxins, drugs, or dietary substances.

Use dietary supplements. Lecithin (a phospholipid) and the sulfur-containing L-taurine and L-methionine amino acids are compounds that will promote bile circulation, which enhances estrogen’s excretion out of the body. These lipotropic formulas support the liver metabolism of estrogen. A typical formula might provide the following, sometimes in a base of liver-stimulating herbs like milk thistle, black radish, beet, or dandelion, for twice-daily consumption: choline (a concentrated form of lecithin), 500 milligrams; inositol, 250 milligrams; taurine, 250 milligrams; methionine, 250 milligrams.

And last, eat soy foods like bean curd or tofu. They contain phytoestrogens, including diadzin and genistein. They act as estrogen blockers at the tissue level, blocking receptors that could promote cancer.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Boosting Your Immunity Naturally

2008-08-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Our immunity is critical to keeping us healthy and strong when it comes to fighting off viruses, infections and even allergies. So how can we improve our immunity naturally?

1. Increase diet of probiotic-rich foods. Ancient civilizations thrived on these types of medicinal foods, knowing they are full of health building nutrients and that they encourage the growth of beneficial, life-giving organisms throughout the digestive tract. But in America, it seems we've lost this valuable knowledge. The current state of our nation's health shows just how poor our diets really are.

The foods abundantly available to us today are highly processed, de-natured, and full of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, chemical flavorings, artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. The products we use on our bodies and to clean our homes bombard our immune systems with synthetic agents and toxic chemicals; not to mention the fact that the water we drink and cook with is just as compromised. These daily assaults, both from internal and external sources, disrupt our internal physiology resulting in hormone imbalances, digestive disorders, dehydration, dysbiosis, depletion of essential vitamins and minerals, impaired detoxification pathways, pathogen over-growth, erratic blood sugar balance, cardiovascular complications, impaired immunity, depleted fatty acid balance, and so much more. This inner breakdown produces symptoms to warn us that nutritional deficiencies are present. Once we are depleted of certain nutrients, our body no longer has the "tools" or "building blocks" it needs to function optimally. If we ignore these signals/symptoms for too long without correcting the underlying nutritional deficiencies through changes in diet, lifestyle, and limiting beliefs, our bodies cascade into disease.

2. Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars to promote better blood sugar handling and endocrine balance.

3. Properly hydrate your body.

4. Balance vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

5. Support your body's pathways of detoxification (infrared sauna, ionic foot baths, clay baths & more)

6. Improve your indoor air and drinking water quality.

7. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight damaging molecules call 'free radicals'. It is depleted when you are stressed, so increase you intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. Vitamin E, another antioxidant, is found in seeds and nuts.

8. Find the time to relax, so you can recover from stress before you are bombarded with any more, is essential. Relaxation and exercise will give your mind and body time to recuperate.

9. Keep up your garlic. Garlic was first fed to the Egyptian slaves to give them strength to build the pyramids - it seems there is nothing garlic can't do. There is contention that one of its real strengths comes in its pungent flavor, a key to clearing up congestion

Mastering these changes will take time, but you'll be surprised at how easy it will be to incorporate these simple concepts into your busy lifestyle, while witnessing the incredible benefits that come

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Vitamins and Stress

2008-07-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

We all live with some kind of stress. Whether you are a stay-at-home mother or have a job that keeps you going longer than you feel you can keep up, all of these things cause stress. So how can we help our bodies cope with such stressors? Vitamins and foods that contain such vitamins is a start.

There are two types of stress, physical and emotional. Forumula supplements such as B vitamins with thiamin, niacin and riboflavin, are actually meant for physical stress, not emotional stress. Patients suffering from the acute stress of surgery or injuries need more energy and more nutrients to help them recover. The B vitamins are especially important for injury recovery because they play a key role in energy metabolism, helping patients get more of the energy they need from the foods they eat. These vitamins are found in foods such as whole grains and enriched cereals, lean meats and dairy products.

For emotional stress, taking stress formula vitamins won’t help relieve this stress or make you feel any calmer. But, there are other ways to relieve psychological stress.

When we are stressed emotionally our body faces many challenges, these include:

* Reduced levels of important micronutrients like vitamins A, B, C and E as well as minerals;
* Reduced levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine;
* Increased levels of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol;
* Increased metabolic rate
* Increased levels of free radicals.

These biochemical changes can cause headaches, lethargy, irritability, high blood pressure, fatigue. Since vitamins A, B, C and E, are referred to as stress vitamins, they cannot be manufactured inside the body. Their intake in the form of supplement pills should help to minimize the ill-effects of stress. A stress vitamins pill is not a solution to stress.

All those these vitamins need to be replenished in the body, they don’t necessarily help you cope with stress in the beginning. To better face emotional stress and help your body move through it
you should first of all get plenty of rest. Eating a nutritious, balanced diet while drinking plenty of fluids with regular exercise is also a great benefit.

Studies have shown that food and stress are linked together. You would be surprised to know that some kinds of food that cause stress. On the other hand, there are also certain foods that reduce stress. What kinds of foods cause stress?

• Many packaged foods contain agents that stimulate or cause stress. The irony is that foods containing people get tempted to consume these foods for various reasons. Some of the food items that are commonly known to cause stress are as follows:
• Caffeine: This is commonly found in coffee, tea, colas and chocolates. Caffeine increases stress levels by stimulating the central nervous system. Excess intake of caffeine will result in hyperactive mood and cause irritation and stress.
• Alcohol: Alcohol, if taken in large doses, disrupts sleep. It will also cause malfunctioning. It has the potential to create interpersonal problems with family, friends and coworkers. This creates plenty of sources for stress.
• Sugar:Sugar may be sweet to taste, but it won't be very sweet for the body. It quickly raises the energy levels in the body in a short-period. But the ultimate effect is negative. This is because the body handles sugar by releasing insulin into the blood to reduce sugar level. Even after the body has handled the sugar intake, the insulin release may persist, and cause a fall in the energy level.

Foods that reduce stress are:

• Proteins: Proteins maintain the body's muscles and strengthen them and this goes a long way in fighting stress. Some examples of protein-rich foods are meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, beans, and soya.
• Carbohydrates: If carbohydrates are taken in unrefined form boost positive energy levels and thus, help to combat stress. Some examples are whole grain bread and pasta, brown rice, vegetables, fruits, etc.
• Potassium: Potassium helps to prevent blood pressure. Corn, potatoes, avocadoes, leeks, fish, natural yogurt, chicken, and bananas have plenty of potassium in them.
• Iron: Iron helps in transporting oxygen via the bloodstream. Iron deficiency can lead to poor intellectual capacity and this in turn weakens the body's stress-response levels. Some foods that are rich in iron are eggs, lean meat, dried fruits, wholegrain cereals, peas and potatoes.
• Zinc and copper: Zinc helps in speeding the metabolic process of proteins. This ensures that proteins are not converted to fat. Some studies say that a lack of copper in the body may harm the heart. Foods like chicken, liver, kidney, oysters, banana, rice, beans, pears, and soy have these minerals.

There is no denying stress in our lives but there are things we can do to help ourselves, so what are you waiting for?

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

2008-07-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of the month and you already are not looking forward to it. Maybe you have bloating during or before your menstrual period or your cramps are too uncomfortable to bear. There are some natural ways to treat your body to help take the edge off of your menstrual problems, here are just a few things to get you started:

1. Increase Omega-3 fatty acids. The intake of these oils which are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies can lesson menstrual cramps.
2. Try Magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. It is also available as nutritional supplements. In 2001, researchers with the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed three small studies that compared magnesium and a placebo for dysmenorrhea. Overall, they found that magnesium was more effective than placebo for pain relief and the need for additional medication was less with magnesium use.
3. Taking dietary adjustments starting about 14 days before a period may help some women with certain mild menstrual disorders, such as cramping. The general guidelines for a healthy diet apply to everyone; they include eating plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoiding saturated fats and commercial junk foods.
4. Salt Restriction. Limiting salt may help bloating.
5. Reduce Caffeine, Sugar, and Alcohol. Reducing caffeine, sugar, and alcohol intake may be beneficial. The effects of alcohol are mixed. One study found that women who drank less wine had less menstrual pain than those who drank more wine. Another reported that regular consumption of alcohol lowered the risk for developing cramps, but it actually increased the length of cramping time in certain women. In any case, alcohol is certainly not recommended for relieving menstrual disorders.
6. Maintain Healthy Iron Levels - Women who have heavy menstrual bleeding can sometimes become anemic. Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent anemia. Iron found in foods is either in the form of heme or non-heme iron. Heme iron is the better absorbed than non-heme iron. Foods containing heme iron are the best for increasing or maintaining healthy iron levels. Such foods include (in order of iron-richness) clams, oysters, organ meats, beef, pork, poultry, and fish.

Non-heme iron is less well absorbed. About 60% of iron in meat in non-heme (although meat itself helps absorb non-heme iron). Eggs, dairy products, and iron-containing vegetables only have the non-heme form. Such vegetable products include dried beans and peas, iron-fortified cereals, bread, and pasta products, dark green leafy vegetables (chard, spinach, mustard greens, kale), dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.

7. Increasing intake of vitamin C rich foods – These foods can enhance absorption of non-heme iron during a single meal. In any case, vitamin C rich foods are healthful and include broccoli, cabbage, citrus fruits, melon, tomatoes, and strawberries. One orange or six ounces of orange juice can double the amount of iron the body absorbs from plant foods. (Taking vitamin C supplements does not appear to have any significant effect on iron stores.)
8. Exercise - Exercise may help reduce menstrual pain. It is not clear, however, how intense the exercise should be to reduce dysmenorrhea. For example young female athletes in a 2001 study were only half as likely to suffer from dysmenorrhea as their non-active peers. However, they were also three times more likely to experience an absence of periods. Exercise may be very helpful for women with menstrual pain due to endometriosis. It relieves stress and tension and may reduce hormonal levels that could contribute to endometrial growth.

Other things you can do that will help your cramping include:

1. Sexual Activity. There have been reports that orgasm reduces the severity of menstrual cramps.

2. Applying Heat . One study found that continuously applying a heated abdominal pad for 12 hours 2 days in a row was as effective in reducing menstrual cramps as ibuprofen (Advil). A warm bath may also be helpful.

3. Menstrual Hygiene. Tampons should be changed every 4 to 6 hours. Scented pads and tampons should be avoided; feminine deodorants can irritate the genital area. Women should not douche during or between periods. Women who douche on a weekly basis are more likely to contract cervical cancer than those who do not. Douching may destroy the natural bacteria normally present in the vagina. Bathing regularly is sufficient.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Natural Medicine and Depression

2008-07-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Millions of individuals suffer from clinical or symptomatic depression. If you are one of them, you can experience great benefit from some specific attention to their own health as well as guidance from a health professional who understands the basic tenets of natural medicine.

Natural medicine is consistent with the rhythms of nature and how nature is organized. Historically, there has been a commitment in medicine to do no harm, and when you are using natural substances such as herbs and working at a gradual pace, the likelihood of doing harm is almost completely eliminated.

Because depressions symptoms can be all over the board and sometimes quite contrary to each other, finding the right herbal medicine for treatment can be tricky. For instance, some symptoms for one may include chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, excessive sleep, loss of appetite, excessive appetite, headaches, backaches, joint aches, bowel disorders, as well as feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. The next person will complain of tension, stress, chronic headaches, chronic stomach aches, bowel problems, chronic nutritional deficiencies, chronic allergies, chronic physical disorder, poor diet, excessive sugar and caffeine intake, endocrine disorder such as hypothyroidism, endometriosis, lack of sun exposure, and assaults from the environment such as toxic metals.

Naturopaths will often start with the individual’s weakest physical link before prescribing dietary changes, exercise, nutritional supplements, homeopathy and/or specific herbs or herbal combinations for treating depression or its associated symptoms.

Some of the observations these physicians are discovering as the common cause of depression are the following:

1. Hypothyroidism - Patients suffering from hypothyroidism very often feel like they cannot cope, life is simply too much, and find themselves withdrawing from the world. Typically, patients experience a tremendous mental shift after appropriate treatment for hypothyroidism.

There are certain nutrients, which are used to enhance thyroid activity. Kelp, seaweed, which contains iodine, is often useful in supplementing thyroid function. L-tyrosine, an amino acid, is also effective in stimulating proper thyroid function and fighting depression associated with depressed thyroid function. A naturally oriented health care practitioner may also prescribe a thyroid glandular. The B vitamins are also very important to improve energy and assure proper glandular function.

Adaptogenic herbs, specifically Eleutherococcus senticosus, better known as Siberian ginseng may also be considered in cases of hypothyroidism. This herb helps to regulate the entire endocrine system, including the thyroid and adrenal function.

2. Potassium deficiency, in particular, is another common cause of depression. Women who are particularly low in potassium can have acute episodes of depression accompanied by fits of crying with no seeming cause.

3. Low amounts of L-tryptophan. This is an essential amino acid and is the precursor to one of the most important neurotransmitters, serotonin. Tryptophan helps to raise the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is needed to regulate sleep, secrete pituitary hormones, and perceive pain. Serotonin is most often abnormally low in depressed people. Tryptophan is found abundantly in milk and turkey. After a carbohydrate rich meal, insulin causes competing amino acids such as tyrosine, phenylalanine, and leucine, to leave the blood and enter muscle tissue. With fewer amino acids vying for entry, more tryptophan enters the brain and is converted into serotonin. Increased serotonin levels results in increased relaxation and drowsiness. You can try this out on yourself. Try eating a meal high in carbohydrates, pasta with a fruit dessert and see how you feel compared with a high protein lunch, fish with vegetable.

4. Candidiasis, a chronic yeast infection of candida albicans, also has associated mental symptoms including feelings of disorientation, confusion and being out of control. On the physical level one may experience joint and muscle ache and pain, as well as bodily pain that is not associated with any apparent cause.

These are a just a few possible reasons one suffers from depression. Depression is an illness, which involves the entire body. In naturopathic as well as Chinese medicine, herbs and herbal combinations may be used to bring balance back into the body, as well as counter fatigue and debility often associated with depression. Persons on antidepressant drugs should not stop or alter any currently prescribed medication without consulting with the physician before trying herbal remedies.

Herbs are very much like the foods we eat, and in fact some of what we eat such as parsley, ginger, garlic, onion, thyme, rosemary are actually herbs and can be used therapeutically. Like food, herbs contain different therapeutic substances such as: vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and active ingredients such as: volatile oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, bitters, mucilage, saponins, anthraquinones and tannins. Herbs may be used in many forms, such as teas, tinctures, capsules, tablets, caplets, lozenges, syrups, compresses, poultices, sprays, liniments, and oils.

It is important to remember that herbal preparations, whether they are intended for the common cold or depression, cannot stand alone in their effectiveness as a treatment. Herbs are a piece of the puzzle which includes a balanced diet suitable to one's lifestyle and body type, exercise, and designated periods of rest in whatever form that may take. But at least it is a start. If you suffer from depression, talk to a naturopathic physician and know that there are natural remedies out there for you to try.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of pioneer nutritional formulas. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Eating for your mood

2008-06-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Do you find your mood fluctuating more than ever, feeling fatigued, irritable, light-headed along with highs and lows? If so, it is possible that by just changing your diet and eating foods that help stabilize your blood sugar as well as help your body, you will find yourself feeling better.

To start, take a look at how you respond to feelings of lethargy. Do you grab a soda, eat something sweet or drink caffeine? If so, your blood sugar levels may temporarily rise but then will follow so dramatically that you will be left worse than before you started. Then , the cycle starts again as you reach for more sugar. When your blood sugar first drops, if you can avoid the quick fix and try some foods that will slowly lift your levels, you might be surprised of the result. To start, eat breakfast in the morning. When you eat, try mixing foods with fiber and protein along with foods that are starch, the more slowly foods are digested and released into your system.

Once you stop stressing your body with the sugars, now you can add foods to your diet that help support your adrenal function, the part of your body that helps support stressful moments. Foods that include proteins like eggs, fish, lean meat, poultry, dairy products or soy, will slow down the rate at which sugar is released into your bloodstream.

There are also certain herbs and vitamins that help balance blood sugar. These include Vitamin C and B5 along with B3 and B6. Herbs are licorice, ginseng and astragalus.

What about a balanced diet, you might ask? Review studies have not shown that taking daily multivitamin supplements will prevent any chronic disease. However, taking supplements will help ensure you are getting enough of nutrients that may be missing from your diet.

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet should provide you with all of the individual nutrients you need. Not everyone has a good diet so some of those nutrients might be deficient. For example, a person who hates fruits and vegetables might not get enough vitamin C and someone who refuses to eat dairy products will frequently need extra calcium.

Taking a daily multivitamin is an inexpensive and easy way to be sure you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need. A few individual dietary supplements have been shown to have positive benefits for your health too. Adding these extra supplements may be beneficial:

Calcium
Many people don't eat enough calcium-containing foods. This can add to a person's risk of developing osteoporosis, or weakened bones. The recommended amount of calcium for most adults is about 1200 mg per day.

Vitamin D
Some of the vitamin D you need comes from the food you eat, but most of it is made by your body after exposure to sun. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the two nutrients are often combined into one supplement. An average adult needs about 400 IU of vitamin D.

Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids will help prevent cardiovascular disease. Fatty fish is the best dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, though plants such as flax contain omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that 0.5 to 1.8 grams of fish oil per day is an effective amount.

Folic Acid
Folate is a B vitamin and folic acid is the supplemental form of folate. Folate is found in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit and legumes. Folic acid supplementation is recommended for any woman who may become pregnant and may also help reduce homocysteine levels, which might help reduce the risk of heart disease. The recommended amount for adults is 400 mcg per day.

Chondroitin and Glucosamine
Researchers from the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial found that participants with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain found statistically significant amounts of pain relief with 1500 mg glucosamine combined with 1200 mg chondroitin sulfate supplements.

Antioxidants and Zinc
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study results showed that a combination of antioxidants and zinc taken as a dietary supplement reduced the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. The formula used in the study was:

* 500 mg of vitamin C
* 400 IU of vitamin E
* 15 mg of beta-carotene
* 80 mg of zinc as zinc oxide
* 2 mg of copper as cupric oxide

Probiotics
Foods like yogurt and fermented foods naturally contain bacteria called probiotics. These bacteria are similar to the friendly bacteria normally found in your digestive system. Probiotics are also available as dietary supplements and may be beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea.

Try changing your habits and replacing them with healthier foods and vitamins and you might be surprised how good you feel not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Why Take A MultiVitamin

2008-06-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

We all probably know somebody who takes vitamins. The question is whether taking vitamins is a fad or something needed for good health.

To start, we all know our bodies need vitamins and minerals and that our body alone cannot manufacture sufficient quantities to provide the foundation for all normal biological functions. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for normal metabolism, growth, and general well being. A single deficiency of any vitamin or mineral can endanger the whole body. Many people believe they are eating the 'right' foods, and getting the proper amount of essential nutrients in this way. And, of course, eating a balanced diet is one way to obtain the vitamins and minerals you need.

The problem is, few of us get a truly balanced diet. According to one U.S. Government survey of 21,000 people, not a single person obtained 100 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for each of ten basic nutrients. Processing, storing, or even cooking can reduce the vitamin content of foods. Foods can also be adversely affected by chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and soil conditions. Nutrients are also adversely affected by heavy smoking, alcohol consumption, and numerous health conditions including obesity and chronic illness.

Your multivitamin should contain a full range of vitamins and minerals to meet essential nutritional needs. For example, the average diet frequently provides less than the recommended daily allowance for zinc. A low-dose supplement (15 mg per day) can fill in dietary gaps. Statistics show that over 65% of American diets are deficient in Zinc. Zinc is considered the most important mineral for proper immune system function. Magnesium is also an important element available in multivitamin form, and is also in a majority of American diets. A lack of this essential mineral can lead to fatigue, abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness and spasm, depression, loss of appetite, listlessness, and potassium depletion.

If you don’t take vitamins then you want to make sure you are eating properly Here are some challenges you would have to meet:

Challenge 1: Inadequate Fruits and Vegetables

Solutions:

* Eat a serving of fresh fruit at lunch and dinner as dessert
* Include a variety of vegetables for lunch and dinner. Choose dark green, leafy vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, Chinese bok choy and kale) as well as bright-colored vegetables (such as bell peppers, tomato, avocado, sweet potato and carrot)
* Use fruits as snacks. Bring to work fruits that are easy to prepare (such as grapes, apple, banana, berries or cut-up melons).

Challenge 2: Inadequate Calcium

Solutions:

* Instead of snacking on cookies, choose low-fat yogurt or low-fat cheese with fruits as snacks throughout the day
* If you are not a cow's milk fan, try other calcium-rich beverages such as calcium-fortified orange juice, calcium-fortified soy or rice milk, or goat's milk
* Try other calcium-rich foods such as tofu and canned fish with bones

Challenge 3: Inadequate Whole Grains

Solutions:

* Choose whole grain bread when making sandwiches
* Have a serving of whole grain breakfast cereal or a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast
* Snack on popcorn instead of chips on movie nights
* Toss in brown rice, wild rice or barley in your soup

Taking a multivitamin daily is important to ensure optimum nutritional status for a certain population - particularly among pregnant and lactating women, as well as those with specific chronic diseases. For people older than 50 (men and women), a multivitamin or calcium/D supplement may be warranted as foods alone may be not able to deliver adequate calcium and Vitamin D to meet the increased needs. Always speak to your doctor or dietitian before starting a new supplement.

As fortified-foods are widely available, the expert panel recommended choosing a multivitamin with ingredients less than 100 percent of the daily value (% DV) to avoid toxicity.

A good multivitamin can give you reassurance that you are obtaining the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals needed for good health. Whatever your specific nutritional needs are, a multivitamin should be the foundation of any nutritional supplement or vitamin regimen and will significantly increase the effectiveness of the other supplements you take.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Stimerex, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

A Natural Way to Combat PMS

2008-06-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

Premenstrual syndrome (known as PMS) involves a variety of physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms tied to a woman’s menstrual cycle. By definition, symptoms occur during the days before a woman's period starts. They usually go away after the first day or two of flow.

PMS has been seen since the times of ancient Greece. It has been reported in Eastern (Asian) cultures as well as throughout the Western World. Modern scientific study of PMS has been going on since the early 1930s.

At least 80% of menstruating women have some premenstrual symptoms:

* About 40% of menstruating women have PMS

* About 10% have severe symptoms, a condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Nine million women, or approximately five to seven percent of women of childbearing age, have PMDD.

For most women PMS symptoms are mild. In others, the symptoms may be severe and even incapacitating. The severity of a woman's symptoms has much more to do with her body chemistry than her personality.

PMS can occur at any time after puberty, but more women experience symptoms in their 30s and 40s than in their teenage years. Women who have had more children tend to have more severe symptoms, and women whose mother had PMS are at increased risk. PMS tends to get worse as women age and experience hormonal changes. Women with a history of depression have a greater risk of PMS.

Experts say that the definitive cause of PMS is not yet known. However, the most likely explanation for PMS is that many women are sensitive to the hormonal shifts that occur in the second half of the menstrual cycle. During the normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries make two main hormones, called estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is made by the ovaries throughout the entire menstrual cycle. It reaches its highest levels during the second and third weeks and declines during the last week. During the last two weeks of the cycle the ovaries also make progesterone. The last two weeks of the menstrual cycle is called the luteal (secretory) phase.

These hormones can effect our body’s neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters affected are:

* Serotonin: Women with PMS have fluctuations in serotonin levels. These changes may cause depression and carbohydrate cravings. Serotonin is made by the body from the amino acid tryptophan.

* GABA: GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid. This neurotransmitter is important in feeling calm.

* Endorphins: Endorphins are important in the experience of pain and pleasure. Estrogen and progesterone change endorphin levels.

* Norepinephrine: Norepinephrine and epinephrine are also neurotransmitters that influence mood. In addition, these substances play a role in blood pressure and heart rate.

With this, it is no wonder women can feel terrible. So what can women do to help themselves naturally?

To start, try calcium and magnesium. Some researchers think that certain imbalances in calcium and magnesium levels may trigger PMS symptoms. These two minerals affect nerve cell communication and blood vessel opening and closing

Eating a healthy diet is important for general health and may also help relieve PMS symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, irritability, and headaches.

This includes eating foods high in complex carbohydrates like whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoiding saturated fats. It may also help to avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and red meat, and sometimes dairy products. Eating more small meals each day instead of three large meals may reduce food cravings and mood swings.

Most women report that exercise improves their PMS symptoms. It is especially helpful in relieving stress, improving mood, and preventing weight gain.

Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week throughout your menstrual cycle.

Some women report relief of PMS symptoms from taking vitamins, especially vitamins B6 and E. If you try vitamins beyond a daily multivitamin, be careful about the amounts you take. Some vitamins can cause harm in large doses.

Some women have reported relief from using herbs. Evening primrose oil and dong quai have helped some women. A side effect of dong quai is sun sensitivity. Black cohosh may affect estrogen The major female hormone produced by the body which influences breast development, enables a mature egg to be released each month, and helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy. levels, and may help open the blood vessels, which may relieve symptoms. Possible side effects include dizziness and headaches.

Reducing salt intake or taking a mild diuretic when PMS symptoms commonly begin can help reduce or remove excess fluid that causes bloating and swelling of the hands and feet. You may also feel better if you reduce the amounts of caffeine and refined sugars in your diet and participate in some form of aerobic exercise at this time.

Women may not be able to totally get away from the PMS symptoms but there are certainly ways to make them more tolerable.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Stimerex, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Heavy metals and toxicity in the body

2008-05-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

The body requires a variety of vitamins and minerals to keep balanced, and like everything, too much of anything can be toxic. This includes metals.

Certain metals such as cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, strontium, and zinc - are essential to health in trace amounts. Others are non-essential and can be harmful to health in excessive amounts. These include cadmium, antimony, chromium, mercury, lead, and arsenic - these last three being the most common in cases of heavy metal toxicity.

The wrong heavy metals that can build up in our body can come from our environment,
water supply, hobbies, and other places, thus a full history of the person's work and living habits can help pinpoint potential heavy metal sources.

What are the signs or symptoms of heavy metal toxicity? Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include mental confusion, pain in muscles and joints, headaches, short-term memory loss, gastrointestinal upsets, food intolerances/allergies, vision problems, chronic fatigue, and others. The symptoms are so vague that it is difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone.

The top three most toxic metals and their symptoms are:

Arsenic
Symptoms include nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, garlic odor on breath, excessive salivation, headache, vertigo, fatigue, paresthesia, paralysis, kidney failure, progressive blindness, and mental impairment. Signs include mottled brown skin, hyperkeratosis (increased pigmentation) of palms and soles, cutis edema, transverse striate Leukonychia, perforation of nasal septum, eyelid edema, coryza, limb paralysis and reduced deep tendon reflexes. Mental symptoms include apathy, dementia, and anorexia.

Lead
Signs and Symptoms include combinations of gastrointestinal complaints, hypertension, fatigue, hemolytic anemia, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, weight loss, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive dysfunction, arthralgias, headache, weakness, convulsions, irritability, impotence, loss of libido, depression, depression of thyroid and adrenal function, chronic renal failure, gout. A patient with lead poisoning may have a combination of symptoms - or no symptoms at all until the condition has progressed. Mental symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, irritability, confusion, excitement, anxiety, delusions, and disturbing dreams.

Mercury
Mercury toxicity has been linked to, among other things, mercury dental fillings, particularly when people have a large number of them. Symptoms include a metallic taste in the mouth, excess salivation, gingivitis, tremors, stomach and kidney troubles. Mental symptoms include shyness, irritability, apathy and depression, psychosis, mental deterioration, and anorexia.

If you think you have metals in your body, there are labs that can test you. The easiest screening process is a Hair Analysis. Additional testing involves the use of chelating drugs along with a 24-hour urine collection to determine levels of heavy metals. From here, treatment is based on the individual and will usually involve the use of metal chelating drugs or intravenous EDTA chelation. For many patients, intravenous Vitamin C and replacement mineral infusions are also recommended to support the body through the metal removal process. Once laboratory tests indicate that the heavy metals are undetectable, treatment is considered complete. Often many - if not all - symptoms previously experienced will have resolved, though some may linger, indicating residual damage to organ systems. Therapies can then be targeted to these systems and any specific problems remaining.

The following is a list of nutrients that also help facilitate the removal of heavy metals.

Mega H-: The negative hydride ions in Mega H- alter the water consumed with the food and supplements in our diet, to have a lower surface tension and an increased conductivity.

Methionine: Methionine levels are a major determinant in the liver's concentration of sulphur-containing compounds, such as glutathione and cysteine. As methionine is the precursor for the manufacture of cysteine in the body, extra supplementation of this critical amino acid should increase available cysteine.

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC): NAC forms L-cysteine, cystine, L-methionine, glutathione (GSH), and mixed di-sulfides. Stimulates the body to produce large amounts of cysteine and glutathione, thus greatly augmenting plasma and red blood cell content of both cysteine and glutathione; Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM, like fresh garlic, provides a bioavailable dietary source of sulfur.

Milk Thistle (silymarin): Silymarin provides support and protection against liver toxins which can cause free-radical-mediated oxidative damage.

Chlorella: Is a food-like all purpose mild chelator of heavy metals; it is a specially processed green-algae type of food that is taken with meals and is quite tolerable and pleasant for many.

Cilantro: stimulates the body's release of mercury and other heavy metals from the brain and CNS into other tissue. This facilitates the ability to remove heavy metal from the body using other dietary protocols, such as Chorella and other chlorophyll containing herbs such as Nettles and Alfalfa.

Vitamin B6: needed in the metabolic process that converts methionine to cysteine and then into glutathione. B6 is capable of reducing and controlling the swelling and pain associated with the routine tissue and bone trauma resulting from normal dental operative procedures.

Magnesium: Magnesium availablility is essential for the proper functinoing of our immune system as well as hundreds of enzyme systems critical to human health. Organically amino acid-bound ones are more easily absorbed and are less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract as well.

Activated charcoal: taken immediately with chlorella, 15 minutes before drilling/chunking out amalgam, will bind any swallowed mercury and also prevent recirculation in the liver.

Calcium & Vitamin C: Just as lead will displace calcium, calcium is an excellent nutrient to utilize for displacing mercury and lead. Utilizing a combination of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, is even more effective in clearing metals from the body. Increasing vitamin C intake is a reasonable cost-effective way to control toxic metal levels in the population.

Chlorophyll: chlorophyll binds to heavy metals very well. In fact, it is imperative to choose a reputable source for your chlorophyll, which screens for toxins and heavy metals; or you may be getting more than you want. A good source is juiced raw, organic greens.

Fiber: Fiber, such as oat bran and apple pectin, will bind to metals and help draw them out of the body.

Lipoic Acid: Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant and has a high affinity for binding to metals. This makes it an excellent choice as a supplement to bind and clear mercury and lead from the system. It is best utilized in combination with conjugating nutrients.

Minerals: A mineral-rich diet acts as a chelating agent. Many minerals will chelate metals, including calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Mercury interferes with some functions of selenium, including its powerful antioxidant function and its ability to bind to metals. A good source of bioavailable minerals is from raw sea vegetables and grass juices from wheat, barley, alfalfa, kamut, etc.

Molybdenum: Large amounts of exogenous sulfur (from outside the body) will usurp the body's stores of molybdenum to metabolize it. An easier solution is to use the nutrients which will facilitate the homocysteine pathway.

Sulfur: Lead, mercury and cadmium steal sulfur from important proteins, which could be enzymes, hormones, or cell receptors. Conversely, sulfur is needed in the liver detox pathway to hook onto these metals and clear them from the body. So, lead, mercury and cadmium depletes sulfur, the very nutrient needed to detox the metal overload. A depletion of sulfur will also adversely affect joint connective tissue growth, since sulfur is an essential precursor to the building blocks of cartilage, namely glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid.

Zinc: Zinc and copper get displaced from metallothionine, the protein that binds and carries them. This destroys many of the zinc-dependent enzymes. Zinc is important for proper functioning in a host of major metabolic pathways; it is a component of over 90 metalloenzymes in the body.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Met-Rx, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Going Gluten Free

2008-05-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

You probably have heard the term gluten free, but have you researched what that means? What is gluten and what is an allergic reaction to it. These are just a few things discussed in this article.

Gluten is the elastic, rubbery protein present in wheat, rye, barley and to a lesser degree in oats. It binds the dough in foods such as bread and other baked goods. It contributes to spongy consistency. Rice and maize do not contain gluten.

Wheat allergies can create many different symptoms or adverse reactions. What is wheat allergy? Wheat allergy refers specifically to adverse reactions involving immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to one or more protein fractions of wheat, including albumin, globulin, gliadin and glutenin (gluten). Allergic reactions to wheat may be caused by ingestion of wheat-containing foods or by inhalation of flour containing wheat (Baker's asthma).

Clinical experience suggests that wheat allergy is relatively uncommon, but there are no accurate figures for prevalence. The allergy is more prevalent in certain groups: e.g., wheat allergy is responsible for occupational asthma in up to 30% of individuals in the baking industry.

Allergic reactions to wheat usually begins within minutes or a few hours after eating or inhaling wheat. The more common symptoms involve the skin, hives, eczema, swelling, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, oral allergy syndrome and the respiratory tract (asthma or allergic rhinitis).

The diagnosis of a wheat allergy may be easy if a person has the same reaction repeatedly after eating wheat-containing food. More often the diagnosis is difficult because wheat is usually consumed with other food. Diagnosis usually entails clinical evaluation (medical history, family history, food history) supported by appropriate laboratory tests (CAP® RAST blood tests, skin prick-testing). An elimination-challenge test may be employed to make the diagnosis.

Medication is ineffective in treating this condition. Avoidance of wheat and wheat-containing foods is the only treatment. This may be difficult to maintain, particularly as wheat protein may be "hidden" in other foods. Rice or maize may be substituted as alternative cereals. A dietician must supervise treatment. Wheat-allergic patients who have sensitivity to gluten (or gliadin) should avoid other gluten-containing cereals.

The majority of young children with wheat allergy will outgrow it. Individuals who develop the allergy later in life will probably retain it. There is some evidence that individuals who remove wheat from their diet for a year or longer may be able to tolerate wheat upon re-introduction.

What common foods are gluten-free? Foods such as soybean flour, tapioca flour, rice, corn, buckwheat and potatoes are usually safe for people with celiac disease. To follow a gluten-free diet, start by reading all labels on prepared foods. Do not eat any foods that contain the following:

* Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
* Flour or cereal products
* Vegetable protein
* Malt and malt flavorings
* Starches (unless specified as corn starch, which does not contain gluten)
* Various flavorings, which can be derived from cereals containing gluten
* Vegetable gum
* Emulsifiers, stabilizers derived from cereals containing gluten

Next, especially when eating at a restaurant, avoid the following:

* Breaded foods
* Creamed foods
* Meatloaf and gravies

It is a good idea to see a dietician or nutritionist on a regular basis to ensure that your gluten-free diet is well balanced and meeting nutritional needs. Your doctor may also prescribe various vitamin supplements to make up for any nutritional deficiencies.

Since bone loss is a common problem in people with celiac sprue (due in part to vitamin D deficiency), frequent monitoring with bone density scans is recommended.

Consider buying a cookbook with gluten-free recipe ideas, and visit various sites specializes in the support of people with celiac disease. Armed with information, you can be on your way to a healthier body.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Met-Rx, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Antioxidants and Radiation Treatment

2008-05-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Radiation therapy is certainly hard on the body. For those who are in the process of going through it, there have been questions regarding whether one can continue taking antioxidants and supplements. The concern is whether it will reduce the effectiveness of the therapy.

While radiation therapy kills cancer cells, it also damages neighboring, non-cancerous cells. For most people who experience radiation injury to the intestine, the condition usually clears up within a few weeks of treatment. But in 10% to 20% of the patients, it persists. The people in this study had all experienced these symptoms for six months or more.

Doctors say that while radiation proctitis can be a very disabling condition for many people, that taking antioxidant treatments [with vitamins E and C] makes a lot of sense. Evidence now suggests it may possibly work as a first-line treatment for patients who experience diarrhea, urgency, or fecal incontinence.

What do antioxidants do? They protect cells from DNA damage that can be caused by unstable forms of oxygen called free radicals. High radiation doses aimed at a prostate, cervical or endometrial cancer cause high levels of free radicals that create enough DNA damage to destroy the malignant cells. But, stray radiation can also damage the nearby rectum.

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and vitamin C increases the effects of vitamin E.

Research by Cancer Treatment Centers of America have found that antioxidants provide nutritional benefits to cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment without interfering with the treatment itself.

The study, entitled "Effect of Concomitant Naturopathic Therapies on Clinical Tumor Response to External Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer," was presented at the non-profit Society of Integrative Oncology's Third International Conference in Boston.

Most doctors said they felt that radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the best treatment options for cancer patients, but the side effects of the treatments can be physically and emotionally damaging. In the past, doctors were concerned about antioxidant use with radiation treatment in that it might interfere with the cancer cell oxidation levels that assist chemotherapy and radiation in killing tumors. To address this, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America researchers analyzed the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels of prostate cancer patients after radiation therapy, and found no difference between the control group and the group using antioxidants such as green tea extract, melatonin, high-potency multivitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Doctors say that the study provides evidence that antioxidants as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment does not interfere with external beam radiation therapy and that antioxidants are one of many complementary and alternative medicine therapies that are crucial in today's fight against cancer.

More than 80 percent of the cancer patients interviewed for the report said they had used some sort of complementary and alternative medicine treatment, many without any sort of medical supervision.

In the end, it was proven that taking antioxidants helped patients and was beneficial to their overall sense of well-being in addition to helping them assimilate to the radiation.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

The Benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine

2008-04-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

If you haven’t heard of Acetyl L-Carnitine, then you are missing out on a simple supplement that can help our bodies in so many ways.

Acetyl L-Carnitine is naturally found in meats, vegetables and grains, with the highest concentration in red meats such as beef and lamb. For instance, beef has about 145 mg of L-Carnitine per every 100 grams while vegetables such as carrots have only 0.4 mg. Your body can produce a very small amount of L-Carnitine on a daily basis with the highest concentrations in the heart and skeletal muscles.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is similar in form to the amino acid L-carnitine and also has some similar functions, such as being involved in the metabolism of food into energy. The acetyl group that is part of acetyl-L-carnitine contributes to the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is required for mental function.

Other names for acetyl-L-carnitine include: acetyl-levocarnitine, acetylcarnitine, l-acetylcarnitine, levacecarnine, and ST-200

So how does Acetyl L-Carnitine help the body. Here are a few examples:

1. Congestive Heart Failure - Studies suggest that people who take L-Carnitine supplements soon after suffering a heart attack may be less likely to suffer a subsequent heart attack, die of heart disease, experience chest pain and abnormal heart rhythms, or develop congestive heart failure. (Congestive heart failure is a condition that leads to a back up of blood into the lungs and legs because the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently).

In addition, people with coronary artery disease who use L-Carnitine along with standard medications may be able to sustain physical activity for longer periods of time.

2. High Cholesterol - In several studies, people who took L-Carnitine supplements had a significant lowering of their total cholesterol and triglycerides, and an increase in their HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.

3. Intermittent Claudication - Decreased blood flow to the legs from atherosclerosis (plaque build up) often causes an aching or cramping pain in the legs while walking or exercising. This pain is called intermittent claudication and the diminished blood flow to the legs is called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). At least one well-designed study suggests that carnitine supplements may improve muscle function and exercise capacity in those with PVD. In other words, people with PVD may be able to walk farther and longer if they take carnitine, particularly proprinylcarnitine.

4. Alcohol-related Liver Disease - Some researchers speculate that alcohol consumption reduces the ability of carnitine to function properly in the body. This can lead to a buildup of fat in the liver. Supplementation with carnitine has been shown to prevent and reverse the damage caused by alcohol-induced fatty buildup in the liver of animals.

5. Down's Syndrome - In a study of individuals with Down syndrome, L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) supplementation significantly improved visual memory and attention.

6. Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis - Given that the kidney is a major site of carnitine production, damage to this organ can cause a significant carnitine deficiency. Many patients undergoing hemodialysis also experience carnitine deficiencies. For these reasons, individuals with kidney disease (with or without the need for hemodialysis) may benefit from carnitine supplementation, if recommended by a healthcare provider.

7. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) - Some researchers speculate that chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by deficiencies in a variety of nutrients, including carnitine. L-carnitine has been compared to a medication for fatigue in a study of 30 people with CFS. Those who took L-carnitine did much better than those who took the medication, particularly after receiving the supplement for 4 to 8 weeks.

8. Hyperthyroidism - Some research suggests that L-carnitine may prove useful for preventing or diminishing the symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid. These symptoms include insomnia, nervousness, elevated heart rate, and tremors. In fact, in one study, a small group of people with hyperthyroidism had improvement in these symptoms, as well as normalization of their body temperature, when taking carnitine.

Carnitine is available as a supplement in a variety of forms, but only the form L-carnitine (alone or bound to either acetic or propionic acid) is recommended.

* L-carnitine (LC): the most widely available and least expensive
* L-acetylcarnitine (LAC): this form of carnitine appears to be the one to use for Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders
* L-propionylcarnitine (LPC): this form of carnitine appears to be most effective for chest pain and related heart problems, as well as peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Vitamins for Beautiful Skin

2008-04-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

We all know vitamins and minerals are essential for proper function of every organ in the body, but what about our skin? The skin is no exception. Here are a few vitamins to focus on and why.

1. Vitamin A - Vitamin A is critical for normal life cycle of skin cells. Vitamin A deficiency causes skin to become dry, fragile and prone to wrinkles. If a person is Vitamin A deficient, no skin treatment will work properly. Vitamin A’s greatest skin benefits including helping with fine lines and wrinkles. As some have learned the hard way, attempting to hide fine lines and wrinkles behind layers of make up is a losing battle. Better to improve the condition of your skin with products containing retinoids. Prescription products like Retin-A and Renova utilize Vitamin A derivatives to great effect, but some people's skin may react with uncomfortable stinging, redness or scaling. Fortunately, "Retinol," a non-prescription Vitamin-A derivative contained in many over-the-counter products can provide much of the same benefits with less risk of irritation and sun sensitivity. However, due to the lower levels of retinoids in some consumer products, it may take a bit longer to see the desired result.

2. B-complex - The term B-complex usually refers to a group of vitamins that includes vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenate), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyancobalamine) and folate.

Vitamins B1 and B2 are critical for energy production in the cells. Overt deficiencies of vitamins B1 and B2 are known to cause special forms of dermatitis (along with many other problems). Mild deficiencies usually go unnoticed but still may produce some degree of skin damage.

Vitamin B’s greatest skin benefits include a healthy glow and moisture retention. Vitamins B-3 (niacin) and B-5 (pantothenic acid) have become popular additions to skin-care products because of their ability to assist in retaining moisture. B-3 is a relatively new ingredient on the marketplace but has demonstrated great promise, offering a milder alternative to acidic exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid, which some feel is too harsh for their complexions. B-5 is a more common skin-care additive, and is widely recognized for its (along with Vitamin E) moisturizing ability. It's also good for those with sensitive skin, as some creams made with Vitamin-E have been known to cause irritation.

3. Vitamin C, iron and copper - Vitamin C, iron and copper together are all three important for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein in the skin. Deficiency of each of these nutrients reduces skin resilience and ability to heal (in addition to other health problems). Vitamin C is abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables. Iron is found in whole grains and meat products. Copper is found in a variety of foods and its deficiency is uncommon except in people taking zinc supplements.

Vitamin C’s greatest skin benefits are in repairing sun damage.
This vitamin has been one of skin-care's hot sellers for the past several years due to its proven effectiveness as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are a critical natural defense against "free radicals," unstable molecules that age the skin as a result of pollution, smoking and sun exposure. Topical Vitamin C can protect the skin from UV damage caused by prolonged sun exposure by reducing the amount of free radical formation. However, while it can help safeguard against skin damage and reduce discoloration, it should be used in conjunction with, not in place of, a good sunscreen. Yet another benefit of Vitamin C is its ability to enhance the synthesis of collagen: a critically important skin protein that strengthens structural support and resilience of the skin.

4. Vitamin E – This Vitamin’s greatest skin benefits include the repair if dry, rough skin. Vitamin-E (alpha tocopherol) is another powerful antioxidant that is commonly used in lotions and creams for its moisturizing ability. Though some of the "miraculous" healing claims of Vitamin-E supporters have been exaggerated over the years, it is still widely recognized for its proven ability to help retain moisture in the skin.

5. Vitamin K – This Vitamin’s greatest skin benefits include repairing dark, under-eye circles. A good night's sleep is always recommended as well. Topical Vitamin-K is a good additional defense against discoloration under the eyes. It is often used as a treatment for spider veins. Topical Vitamin K enters through the pores all the way to the damaged capillary or artery and helps to clot the blood, thus stopping any seepage (often the cause of dark circles) and allowing the tissue to heal itself.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Amino Acids and You

2008-04-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of amino acids, but what do they do? For starters, amino acids are needed to maintain, restore and repair damaged muscles, tendons, breaks in the skin structure, and all tissues like the ligaments, the tissues of the organ systems, the various glands, and keratin structure like hair and nails.

Low levels of amino acids in the body can also create long term infection, physiological trauma or stress. The evidence of an amino acid deficiency in the body is usually checked by most nutritionally oriented doctors through blood tests that can help determine the bio-chemical and physiological status of a person.

Most of the amino acids needed in the human body are manufactured in the liver, which produces about eighty percent of the amino acid requirements. Amino acids that are classed as essential make up the other twenty percent of our necessary requirements. This is where your diet is important in that it contains these essential amino acids.

What are amino acids exactly? They are the basic structural building units of proteins. They form short polymer chains called peptides or longer chains called either polypeptides or proteins. The process of such formation from an mRNA template is known as translation, which is part of protein biosynthesis. Twenty amino acids are encoded by the standard genetic code and are called proteinogenic or standard amino acids.

Other amino acids contained in proteins are usually formed by post-translational modification, which is modification after translation in protein synthesis. These modifications are often essential for the function or regulation of a protein; for example, the carboxylation of glutamate allows for better binding of calcium cations, and the hydroxylation of proline is critical for maintaining connective tissues and responding to oxygen starvation. Such modifications can also determine the localization of the protein, e.g., the addition of long hydrophobic groups can cause a protein to bind to a phospholipid membrane.

The amino acids in a protein are held together by chemical connections called peptide bonds, this is called the primary structure of a protein molecule, and the very structure of proteins determines the essential role they play in the body. Therefore, every single protein in the human body is unique in the chemical sequencing and arrangement of bonds and biochemical breaks.

All proteins have very specific duties in the body and fulfill a specific function of the body - the work of any single protein is thus not interchangeable with that of another protein at any time - this high specificity of proteins enables similar proteins to do very different types of functions in the human body. All the proteins consumed in the food are not used directly by the body - they are first digested down to basic amino acids.

Some amino acids function as neurotransmitters or are precursors to the formation of such compounds. These functions can include functional roles in the brain like receive or transmitting messages to and from the nervous system. Amino acids playing these roles some can bypass the blood brain barrier and gain entry into the central nervous system - the blood brain barrier helps in the maintenance of the health of the brain, it is also involved in fine tuning the chemistry and the operation of various processes of brain body communication. Some types of amino acids help aid in communication between the nerve cells and the other parts of the body. Certain amino acids also support the function of many vitamins and minerals - aiding them in performing specific roles as required in the body.

The entry for the appropriate ailment can be consulted to get recommended dosages of any of the amino acids. The ideal way of supplementation is to take amino acids in a complex combination form, instead of using any individual amino acid for longer than one month, using a mixed amino acid complex as a supplement will enable the body to receive adequate and balanced amounts of all the amino acids needed by the body.

One should ideally use the amino acid supplements at least an hour and a half just prior to or following the daily meals. The supplement can be taken first thing in the morning or may be used near bedtime - these timings are ideal for full absorption of the supplement in the body. Taking any single amino acid supplement longer than three months is not recommended, but may be carried out under the supervision of a doctor experienced with nutritional use of such supplements. When taking any individual amino acid as a supplement it is also advisable to take mixed amino acid supplements along with the single amino acid doses on an empty stomach at a different time of day.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

The Health Benefits of Omega Oil

2008-03-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

You want to increase your overall health and energy level. You want to prevent heart disease, cancer, depression and Alzheimer's. Perhaps you also want to treat rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Raynaud's disease and a host of other diseases. One of the most important things you can do for all of these is increase your intake of the omega-3 fats found in Krill Oil and cod liver oil, and reduce your intake of omega-6 fats.

These two types of fat, omega-3 and omega-6, are both essential for human health. However, the typical American consumes far too many omega-6 fats in their diet while consuming very low levels of omega-3. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 1:1. Our ancestors evolved over millions of years on this ratio. Today, though, our ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 averages from 20:1 to 50:1! That spells serious danger for you, and as is now (finally!) being reported throughout even the mainstream health media, lack of omega-3 from Krill Oil is one of the most serious health issues plaguing contemporary society.

According to the American Heart Institute, it is recommended that we eat fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week to get the appropriate amount of Omega Oils. Fish is a good source of protein and doesn’t have the high saturated fat that fatty meat products do. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

If you don’t enjoy fish, the AMA also recommends eating tofu and other forms of soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and their oils. These contain alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which can become omega-3 fatty acid in the body.

By far, the best type of omega-3 fats are those found in that last category, fish. That's because the omega-3 in fish is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. The human brain is also highly dependent on DHA - low DHA levels have been linked to depression, schizophrenia, memory loss, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Researchers are now also linking inadequate intake of these omega-3 fats in pregnant women to premature birth and low birth weight, and to hyperactivity in children.

Sadly, though, eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams, or farm-raised, is no longer recommended. Mercury levels in almost all fish have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and the risk of this mercury to your health now outweighs the fish's omega-3 benefits.

Routine consumption of Krill Oil is another highly recommended method of increasing your omega-3 intake and improving your health, and is also the most convenient for today's busy lifestyles. Krill Oil contains high levels of the best omega-3 fats - those with the EPA and DHA fatty acids - and, as it is in pure form, does not pose the mercury risk of fresh fish.

The ways that omega-3 fatty acids reduce cardiovascular disease risk are still being studied. However, research has shown that they

* decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
* decrease triglyceride levels
* decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
* lower blood pressure (slightly)

So what do you have to lose? Watch what you eat and enjoy better and healthier living.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Muscle Building Supplements

2008-03-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

You are at the gym nearly every day and you have accomplished your initial bodybuilding goals - but now you want to take your workout to the next level. And if you're like many interested in their body, you have looked into muscle-building supplements.

To begin, supplements aren’t magic in that they will turn you into Mr. or Ms. Universe overnight, but most are safe and can help you gain an edge.

Educating yourself about the different types of supplements will help you narrow down your plan.

Creatine - One common option body builders have been using for years that's now mainstream is Creatine. A substance that's manufactured in the body during protein metabolism, Creatine is a fuel source for explosive sports movements or bursts of activity that typically last one to six seconds. Loading muscles with Creatine can help people perform better and recover faster.

It is recommended that you pair Creatine with carbohydrates 45 minutes before a workout. Carbs can increase the absorption rate of the supplement into your muscles. Pairing Creatine with a glass of juice also will do the trick.

Although creatine’s role in the energy production process is its most notable trait, there is evidence that creatine can stimulate muscle growth. It does this in a couple of different ways. By allowing you to perform more work as a result of additional energy, increased protein synthesis is stimulated. Secondly, when an abundance of creatine phosphate is stored n the muscle, the muscle will hold more water in its cells and become what is known as “volumized” or “super-hydrated.” The more volumized a muscle is, it will promote the synthesis of protein as well as deter the breakdown of protein. Volumizing the muscle will also create an environment where an increased level of Glycogen synthesis will take place. Increased protein synthesis along with training will lead to muscle growth. There is also scientific evidence that shows supplementation with creatine causes muscle tears to repair themselves quicker.

L-Glutamine – This amino acid is most common and is found in your muscles. Over 61 percent of skeletal muscle is Glutamine. Glutamine consists of 19 percent nitrogen, making it the primary transporter of nitrogen into your muscle cells. During intense training, Glutamine levels are greatly depleted in your body which decreases strength, stamina and recovery. It could take up to six days for Glutamine levels to return to normal. Glutamine also plays a key role in protein synthesis. Studies have shown L-Glutamine supplementations can minimize breakdown of muscle and improve protein metabolism.

D-Ribose – Ribose is the super muscle building supplement – the significant other of creatine. Like creatine, Ribose helps the production of ATP (energy) but in different ways. Creatine recycles ADP into ATP by release of phosphate and Ribose is actually a building block of ATP.

Prohormones – Andro, (Nor) Androstenedione, Androstenedio – Andro is a prohormone that aids in testosterone production and it’s a direct hormone precursor of testosterone. Androstenedione and Androstenediol are the 2 only compounds that convert directly into testosterone, which is why you’ll hear that Andro is one step away from testosterone. DHEA converts directly into these two andro compounds.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

How Glucosamine Helps Your Joints

2008-02-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

As we age we notice more aches and pains and the knees don’t bend like they used to - our joints basically start hurting. Why is this?

Our joints are protected by a fluid that allows them to move freely. Without the fluid, there is friction, which then causes pain. As we age, cartilage loses its ability to hold water. What we need is something to help us produce a cushion in the joint, this is where the supplement glucosamine comes in. Glucosamine has been proven to have the ability to create synovial fluid, a thick and gelatinous substance, which allows our joints to hold more water. Glucosamine is formed when glucose combines with an amino acid. It is a building block for cartilage.

Glucosamine also inhibits the breakdown of proteoglycans and may aid in rebuilding damaged cartilage. NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as aspirin, have been shown to do the opposite, actually causing the disease to progress at a faster rate while masking the pain.

Glycosaminoglycans, chondroitan sulphates, collagen, and water make up 90% of the cartilage composition. Recent studies have shown that the introduction of large quantities of glucosamine sulphate have an ability to raise the fluid levels within the cartilage from dangerously low levels to levels that are tolerable, if not favorable to joint health. When the fluid levels are close to the norm, there is a tendency for much less damage to the nerves due to a greater resilience in the disk from the higher water content.

Glucosamine also helps attract and keep water in the joints where it can do the most good.

In addition to lessened nerve protection, higher fluid levels over time (say 12-18 months) will allow the peripheral nervous system to grow into areas where previously little or no feeling was observed. Thus, the theory behind taking the glucosamine supplements is that these dietary supplements help you rebuild your nervous system and cartilage and thus regain a portion of your lost mobility.

The benefit of glucosamine for sufferers of osteoarthritis is backed by many double blind, placebo controlled studies. Although initially painkillers have been shown to decrease pain faster than glucosamine, glucosamine is more effective over time. There is no danger of kidney failure or other extremely harmful side effects with glucosamine either and the body absorbs it rather quickly.

Glucosamine is not expensive (you can find high quality liquid products for under a dollar a day). Dosages may be split up and taken prior to a meal or may simply be taken once a day. Most doctors will suggest you take 1,500 mg of glucosamine per day and this can be taken while undergoing other alternative therapy i.e. chiropractic, acupressure, yoga, physio-therapy, etc.

Some people combine their glucosamine with chondroitin

Chondroitin sulfate exists naturally in your cartilage. It’s thought to draw fluid into the tissue to give our cartilage more elasticity and to slow cartilage breakdown by protecting it from destructive enzymes. As a supplement, it is exclusively derived from cattle sources and is often taken along with glucosamine to assist with maintaining joint health. The combined use is known to produce a "synergistic" effect. It’s been prescribed for pain relief in osteoarthritis in some parts of Europe where it is a prescription drug for decades.

Although chondroitin alone hasn't been proven to help with or reverse cartilage loss, in some studies it appeared to help improve function and ease pain. In one placebo-controlled study, joint narrowing in the knee became stabilized in patients who were put on chondroitin supplement. Another controlled study looked at osteoarthritis of the finger joints for a period of three years. Among the group that took chondroitin, there was a significant decrease in the number of patients with new erosions in their finger joints.

Why put up with aches and pains any longer than you have to when there is a natural solution waiting for you?

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Milk Thistle and Your Liver

2008-02-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Our liver plays a major role in our body. Not only is it the largest internal organ we have, it also helps our metabolism, works in glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, and detoxification. The liver also produces bile, which aids in digestion, via the emulsification of lipids.

When we take substances into our bodies such as alcohol, or the least obvious such as medications, our liver must work on removing its toxic properties for us. All of this work can often tax our liver. But there is a natural way to help strengthen your liver and it’s through the herb Milk Thistle.

Milk Thistle is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. It has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for a variety of ailments, especially liver problems.

Milk Thistle has also been called Mary thistle and holy thistle, but its Latin name is Silybum marianum

The Milk Thistle’s stem is tall, branched and furrowed but not spiny. The large, alternate leaves are waxy-lobed, toothed and thorny, as in other genera of thistle. The lower leaves are cauline (attached to the stem without petiole). The upper leaves have a clasping base. They have large, disc-shaped pink-to-purple, rarely white, solitary flower heads at the end of the stem. The flowers consist of tubular florets. The phyllaries under the flowers occur in many rows, with the outer row with spine-tipped lobes and apical spines. The fruit is a black achene with a white pappus.

The Milk Thistle has historically been used to treat liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), and gallbladder disorders. What makes Milk Thistle so medicinal? An active compound called silymarin.

Besides benefiting our liver, Milk Thistle is also known to:
• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
• Reduce the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.
• Reduce the effects of a hangover.

The silymarin, which can be extracted from the seeds (fruit), are used to prepare capsules containing powdered herb or seed; extracts; and infusions (strong teas). The silymarin is found in the milk thistle seeds and in this form is difficult to absorb. The more concentrated the solution of silymarin, the more easily it is absorbed and the more readily it enters the bloodstream.

Standardized capsules are the most concentrated form and, therefore, should be used whenever possible.

Preliminary research with a new form of silymarin (BioSorb Silymarin) indicates a much greater bioavailability in both animal and human studies. These studies show that BioSorb Silymarin to enhance peak silymarin blood concentrations by 290% in just 1.5 hours. Even more impressive, concentrations remained elevated by 342% for 12 hours, making Biosorb Silymarin the state of the art antioxidant promoting enhance liver health with 5 times more absorption.

So does your liver need a tune-up? Go the natural way and give the ancient herbal practice of using Milk Thistle a shot.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Putting Down the Cigarettes

2008-02-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

Has the cost of cigarettes or the new laws having you ask whether you should put down the smokes for good? If so, there are some things to know that will help you on your way.

The first thing to know is that nicotine is a very addictive substance that one doesn’t realize the affects of until they decide to remove it from their life. If you have heard that it is more addictive than cocaine or heroin, you heard right

Since 1988, nicotine dependence and withdrawal have been recognized as disorders by the American Psychiatric Association, legitimizing the experience of the millions who have tried, successfully and otherwise, to put smoking behind them while kibitzers told them to use more willpower.

It's not just a habit, the medical and scientific communities now fully agree, but an addiction, comparable in strength to hard drugs and alcohol.

The news, however, isn't all bad. For the last 20 years, the proportion of Americans who smoke has dropped continuously, for the first time in our history. In America today, there are nearly 45 million ex-smokers, about as many as are still puffing away.

These quitters, perhaps surprisingly, are for the most part the same folk who tried and failed before. The average person who successfully gives up smoking does so after five or six futile attempts, says Fiore. "It appears that many smokers need to go through a process of quitting and relapsing a number of times before he or she can learn enough skills or maintain enough control to overcome this addiction."

Never underestimate the power of your enemy. Although nicotine may not give the taste of Nirvana that more notorious drugs do, its effects on the nervous system are profound and hard to resist. It increases levels of acetylcholine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that regulate mood, attention, and memory. It also appears to stimulate the release of dopamine in the reward center of the brain, as opiates, cocaine, and alcohol does.

Addiction research has clearly established that drugs with a rapid onset -- that hit the brain quickly -- have the most potent psychological impact and are the most addictive. "With cigarettes, the smoker gets virtually immediate onset," says Jack Henningfield, Ph.D., chief of clinical pharmacology research for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The cigarette is the crack cocaine of nicotine delivery."

Physiologically, smoking a drug, be it cocaine or nicotine, is the next best thing to injecting it. In fact, it's pretty much the same thing. The blood extracts nicotine from inhaled air just as efficiently as oxygen, and delivers it, within seconds, to the brain.

For many, nicotine not only gives pleasure, it eases pain. Evidence has mounted that a substantial number of smokers use cigarettes to regulate emotional states, particularly to reduce negative affect like anxiety, sadness, or boredom.

Acute withdrawal is over within four to six weeks for virtually all smokers. But the addiction is by no means all over. Like those who have been addicted to other drugs, ex-smokers apparently remain susceptible to "cues.” Just as seeing a pile of sugar can arouse craving in the former cocaine user, being at a party or a club, particularly around smokers can rekindle the lure of nicotine intensely.

The same process may include "internal cues” as well. If you smoked in the past when under stress or depressed, the act of being depressed can serve as a cue to trigger the urge to smoke.

What works? About 90 percent of people who give up smoking do so on their own. But the odds for success can be improved. Programs that involve counseling typically get better rates, and nicotine replacement can be a potent ally in whatever method you use.

More than 4 million Americans have tried the patch, which replaces the nicotine on which the smoker has become dependent, to ease such withdrawal symptoms as irritability, insomnia, inability to concentrate, and physical cravings that drive many back to tobacco.

However nicotine replacement is not a magic bullet. It will take the edge off the tobacco-withdrawal syndrome, but it won't automatically transform any smoker into a nonsmoker.

Other requisite needs vary from person to person. A standard approach teaches behavioral "coping skills," simple things like eating, chewing gum, or knitting to keep mouth or hands occupied, or leaving tempting situations. Ways people cope cognitively are as important as what they do.

So if you are ready to quit, there are nutritional supplements and alternative ways to assist you on you way, don’t give up hope and try and try again if needed.

About the Author: R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Met-Rx, Pioneer Nutritional Formulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Açaí, the not so new superfood

2008-01-28T09:34:00.000-08:00

The Acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of years in its native lands of the Amazon jungle. It has only been until recently that the rest o the world has recognized the berry’s health properties.

The Acai berry’s legend spans back to Amazon villages on the edge of the Para’ river. As villages grew, food became scarce. The tribal leader Itaki told the people they could not have any more children or they would have to be sacrificed. At the time, the daughter of the leader, Iaca’, was pregnant. The leader was excited and abhorred with the news. During the pregnancy, Iaca’ prayed to Tupa’ that a food would be shown to their village. The child was born and as declared, the tribal leader had to sacrifice the baby. The daughter, devastated, wondered throughout the forest crying. While in the forest, she saw her child’s ghost in the form of a slender palm tree. Within this tree a new fruit was discovered and the Itaki called the fruit Acai (Iaca’ inverted).

The Acai berry is now known to be one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! The fruit tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate and is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

The antioxidants of Acai are 10 times greater than the antioxidants found in red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine. The fatty acid content in Açaí resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. For one, it helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane and together they help make cell membranes suppler. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently.

How is Acai consumed? The juice and pulp of Acai fruits (Euterpe oleracea) is frequently used in various juice blends, smoothies, sodas, and other beverages. Acai can be freeze-dried or bought in a concentrate formula. For those in northern Brazil, Açaí is traditionally served in gourds called "cuias" with tapioca and sometimes sugar. Acai has become a fad in southern Brazil where it is consumed cold as açaí na tigela ("açaí in the bowl"), mostly mixed with granola - a fad where acai is considered as an energizer. Acai is also widely consumed in Brazil as an ice cream flavor or juice.

However you take your Acai, you will certainly be pleasantly surprised by its flavor and results.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

How Probiotics Work For You

2008-01-28T09:32:00.001-08:00

When we have a stomachache or are sick, we are often told we have a bug. It is true that there are ‘bugs’ that live in our digestive systems. But there are good bugs and bad bugs.

First of all, bugs are living microorganisms. Within our bodies there must be a balance with those microorganisms to keep us healthy and feeling at our best. This is where Probiotics come in. Probiotics are the good bugs.

Scientifically, Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring gut flora, ecology of microbes, to re-establish themselves. Doctors sometimes recommend them, and, more frequently, they are prescribed by nutritionists after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for gut related candidiasis. Claims are made that Probiotics strengthens the immune system to combat allergies, excess alcohol intake, stress, exposure to toxic substances, and other diseases.

When we take antibiotics, for instance, the good bugs that work well with our bodies decrease in number, an event that allows harmful competitors to thrive, to the detriment of our health.

Probiotics, which means "for life", have been used for centuries as natural components in health-promoting foods. The original observation of the positive role played by certain bacteria was first introduced by Russian scientist and Nobel laureate Eli Metchnikoff, who in the beginning of the 20th century suggested that it would be possible to modify the gut flora and to replace harmful microbes by useful microbes. Metchnikoff, at that time a professor at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, produced the notion that the ageing process results from the activity of putrefactive (proteolytic) microbes producing toxic substances in the large bowel.

Proteolytic bacteria such as clostridia, which are part of the normal gut flora, produce toxic substances including phenols, indols and ammonia from the digestion of proteins. According to Metchnikoff these compounds were responsible for what he called “intestinal auto-intoxication”, which caused the physical changes associated with old age. It was at that time known that milk fermented with lactic-acid bacteria inhibits the growth of proteolytic bacteria because of the low pH produced by the fermentation of lactose.

Metchnikoff had also observed that certain rural populations in Europe, for example in Bulgaria and the Russian Steppes who lived largely on milk fermented by lactic-acid bacteria were exceptionally long lived. Based on these facts, Metchnikoff proposed that consumption of fermented milk would “seed” the intestine with harmless lactic-acid bacteria and decrease the intestinal pH and that this would suppress the growth of proteolytic bacteria. Metchnikoff himself introduced in his diet sour milk fermented with the bacteria he called “Bulgarian Bacillus” and found his health benefited. Friends in Paris soon followed his example and physicians began prescribing the sour milk diet for their patients.

The term “probiotics” was first introduced in 1965 by Lilly and Stillwell, when it was described as growth promoting factors produced by microorganisms (protozoa). In the 1960s the dairy industry began to promote fermented milk products containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. In subsequent decades other Lactobacillus species have been introduced including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus johnsonii, because they are intestinal species with beneficial properties.

In most circumstances, people use Probiotics to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics kill "good" (beneficial) bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness. Taking probiotic supplements (as capsules, powder, or liquid extract) may help replace the lost beneficial bacteria and thus help prevent diarrhea.

A decrease in beneficial bacteria may also lead to development of other infections, such as vaginal yeast and urinary tract infections, and symptoms such as diarrhea from intestinal illnesses.

Because many of us don’t eat the foods that put the good bugs back in our bodies, a course of Probiotics can help put our system back on track. The best part is, you have nothing to lose.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of Jarrow Formulas, Pioneer Nutritional Forumulas, Lipodrene and other quality supplements. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

The Benefits of Green Tea

2008-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

We have all heard how green tea is good for us, but what does that mean? How is it good for us and why?

Historically speaking, the Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. There is archaeological evidence that suggests that tea has been consumed for almost 5000 years, with China and India being two of the first countries to cultivate it.

Green tea has been used as traditional medicine in areas such as India, China, Japan and Thailand to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.

The Kissa Yojoki (Book of Tea), written by Zen priest Eisai in 1191, describes how drinking green tea can have a positive effect on the five vital organs, especially the heart. The book discusses tea's medicinal qualities, which include easing the effects of alcohol, acting as a stimulant, curing blotchiness, quenching thirst, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing fatigue, and improving urinary and brain function.

Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

A German study found that an extract of green tea and hot water (filtered), applied externally to the skin for 10 minutes, three times a day could help people with skin damaged from radiation therapy (after 16-22 days).

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that cause dental plaque.

How much green tea should you drink? The suggested amount is three to four cups a day. If you aren’t up to drinking that much there are green tea patches and supplements. The choice is yours.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of pioneer nutritional formulas. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.

Why Should You Detox?

2008-01-08T14:07:00.001-08:00

Our environment is full of toxins, that is, substances that are toxic to our body. It has become impossible to go anywhere or do anything without being exposed to toxins these days. Toxins are found in the air, water, food, and pharmaceutical drugs as well as our home and work environments. We can’t even avoid them by eating and drinking organically (although we dramatically reduce our exposure by eating organically and raw).

To get rid of toxins, our bodies are naturally equipped with a wondrous mechanism, our lymph system. The lymph system is designed to filter out toxic substances and excess fluid from tissues, all which is intricately involved in our immune function.

The lymph system is our body’s antibody roadway and it removes cellular waste and undesirable toxins that have found their way into our system. The lymph has been called “the River of Life” and cannot cleanse or purify if it is weak on congested. The lymph system does not have a pumping mechanism except for muscle contraction. Therefore, the need for physical movement, exercise, and periodic detoxification is imperative for a well functioning lymph system.

So what happens when our lymph system becomes overloaded? We experience toxic overload. Virtually any adverse symptom a person may experience can be caused by toxic overload. Toxins work in the body by competing for mineral receptor sites at the enzyme level. The inability of an enzyme to function properly can manifest itself in many different disease states depending upon each individual’s genetic makeup (DNA). Consequently, it is always important to address your own toxic load whenever you have any kind of symptom that does not seem normal. The speed of symptom onset, from acute (fast) to chronic (slow) depends upon the degree of toxic exposure as well as each individual’s genetic make-up.

Today, many of our unexplainable diseases are directly associated with high levels of tissue toxins. Some of them are as follows:

1. Fatigue and chronic fatigue
2. Foggy thinking
3. Memory Loss
4. Chronic Pain
5. Weak immune system
6. Weak thyroid
7. Arthritis
8. Constipation
9. Heart Disease
10. Skin Ailments
11. Depression

So how can we detox? One way is through the feet? Why the feet? It is said that whatever is happening inside the body is identical and similar at the end of the nerves in the hands and feet. The sole of the foot is viewed as an area that reflects the wellness of the body.

The feet are a map of the body; they are divided into zones that correspond to specific body systems. It is possible to target and cleanse ones liver, colon, kidneys, or other body systems by positioning detox foot pads on that target area of the foot.

Japanese researchers have developed a blend of powders with the unique ability to energetically stimulate reflex points and nerve endings on the bottom of the foot, which in turn stimulates the secretion of lymph fluid.

In essence, the secretion of the lymph becomes a fourth vehicle for tissue and organ detoxification assisting the liver, kidneys, and sweat glands. The beauty of the patches is that they work with the body’s most extensive detoxification system. This then takes pressure off the other systems.

So if you think your body has been exposed to too many toxins, the quickest and easiest way to address the issue is by starting with your feet.

R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of pioneer nutritional formulas. For more information, please visit www.nutritiondome.com.