Vitamins - Liquid Or Chewable - Which Is Better?
| By John Vanse Nearly half of the population of the United States take some type of vitamin or vitamin supplement every day. The use of vitamins and vitamin supplements is especially popular with people who lead active lifestyles and find it difficult to obtain the necessary vitamins and minerals they need from their daily meals. If you are too busy to eat proper, nutritious meals you need to turn to taking vitamins and supplements to ensure that your body can obtain what it needs to carry you through your day to day activities. You can never replace all your food with vitamins but vitamins can help you ensure you get the essential nutrients and minerals you need on a daily basis. However, most people who take vitamins are not aware of the fact that a very high proportion of the nutrients and minerals contained in their vitamin supplements are not being properly absorbed by their body. This means that most of the benefits you believe you are getting by taking these vitamins fail to be effectively used by your body. With pills or chewable vitamins, the majority of the nutrients and minerals that are contained in the vitamins are not normally broken down in the digestive system. With these types of vitamins being in hard form, they are more difficult for the body to digest and so ensure that the nutrients and minerals reach those parts of the body where they are needed. Unless you completely chew up the vitamin, it can stay in hard form until it passes right through your system and is excreted. If this happens, you are normally just wasting the vitamin as it has no chance at all to get into the bloodstream. The main reason why liquid vitamins are more effective than the pill and tablet forms is due to the nature of their liquid base. With the vitamins being liquid, they are so much easier for the body to digest and they are more easily absorbed into the digestive tract. Liquid is always digested when it passes through your digestive system, so it will go through your body quicker and will take effect faster. Due to the body having to work less to break down and absorb liquid vitamins, they will pass through the body much faster. The nutrients and minerals contained in liquid vitamins will reach vital areas faster through the bloodstream, and they are easier to use by the most important organs in your body that need them the most. An additional benefit is that liquid is also easy to swallow, as you can add the liquid vitamin to your favorite juice or just take it right out of the bottle if you prefer. Liquid vitamins have proven themselves to be the best way to get the minerals and nutrients your body needs. As more and more people discover the benefits of liquid vitamins and how easy they are to digest, they are making the switch. Liquid is far superior to tablets and pills because it is easier to digest, and it travels through the body faster. And it is also easier to take. You can find many different flavors and types of vitamin supplements at your local nutrition store, or get online and order what you need there. Either way you will find liquid vitamins to be the ideal way to ensure you get the nutrients you need for your body on a daily basis. Author: John Vanse has a network of health related sites. For information about many of our common health issues, visit: www.thebetterhealthguide.com For more information about vitamins see: www.aboutyourvitamins.info Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Vanse |
Weight Loss Supplements - Are Supplements Necessary for Maximum Weight Loss?
| By Brian Gallichan Weight loss supplements have been used for decades and have helped countless thousands of people with their weight loss goals. Supplements are intended to be added to the diet in order to make up for any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. When the body is receiving all of the nutrients that it needs, it will be much more willing to shed unwanted pounds. Weight loss supplements come in many forms including powders, capsules, tablets, liquids, and soft gels. This article will discuss weight loss supplements and whether or not they are absolutely necessary for weight loss. Many people lose weight without the use of a single supplement. If you eat the proper diet and exercise regularly, you will lose weight. However, you will lose weight much more rapidly if you take weight loss supplements. One of the things to watch out for is cost. Weight loss supplements tend to be rather pricy, so it is a good idea to only take the weight loss supplements until you have lost all the weight that you want to lose. Then, proper diet and exercise can be used without weight loss supplements to maintain your new body shape and weight. Weight loss supplements can be found at health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, or on the internet. It must be remembered that weight loss supplements alone will not make a person lose weight. But, weight loss supplements work together with a healthy diet and exercise program to shed the maximum amount of fat from the body as possible. Brian Gallichan is offering a free email course,www.skinnybysummer.com5 Common Sense Ways to Shed Body Fat Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Gallichan |
Do You Need Glucosamine Chondroitin Health Supplements
| By Keith Londrie If you are looking to improve your health you are likely to be interested in the natural health supplements that are on the market today. The vast majority of health supplements, vitamins and minerals that are offered are usually confusing for the average buyer. The first obstacle is to understand which pills are the right ones for you and your condition. The next is to understand their ingredients and to buy the best ones. The case is the same for those looking to buy glucosamine chondroitin. Glucosamine is one of the most popular health supplements nowadays. It is mainly beneficial for those looking to improve their muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage. With age the amount of cartilage needed in joints lowers and the bones start to rub into one another. Glucosamine helps to relieve the pain and fight joint problems by replacing the cartilage. Glucosamine health supplements are usually made of sea ingredients such as sea shells. For that reason people allergic to sea food should be very carefull before applying glucosamine products. Chondroitin is another chemical found in the human body. It is present in the ligaments of the animals and that is the way to get some "the natural way". It has similar effect to glucosamine while its action in the human body is slightly different. Chondroitin improves cartilage by helping water go into its structure. The water helps cartilage to stay between the joints longer as it brings essential nutrients within the cartilage. There are less stand alone Chondroitin supplements compared to the Glucosamine supplements. The most common form is in a combination with Glucosamine. Glucosamine Chondroitin health supplements are important for people who suffer from joint problems such as Osteoarthritis. Joint diseases are usually characterized by insufficient cartilage tissue and for that reason this type of supplements has great effect. Glucosamine Osteoarthritis pills can be taken even before any symptoms of joint problems have appeared. People of certain age who have a family history of bones and joints problems, as well as people being sport active should start taking Glucosamine Osteoarthritis supplements to prevent joint problems. Of course such as any other medicine, Glucosamine Osteoarthritis supplements may hide specific risks. As mentioned these products are often made of sea ingredients, that is why they are not recommended for people with allergies to sea food or other sea products. Osteoarthritis is not working well with blood thinning medicines. You should get advice from your doctor before the application. Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://buyglucosaminechondroitin.lmet.info A website that specializes in providing information on buying Glucosamine Chondroitin that you can research on the internet. Please Visit http://buyglucosaminechondroitin.lmet.info/ now! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Londrie |
Fish Oil For A Healthy Lifesyle
| By David Swanson I am sure that you have heard that fish oil is good for you. Certain fish contain high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids which have the benefit of lowering the risk of heart disease. There are also many other benefits of which you may not be aware. Research has shown that consuming fish oil may be useful for reducing pain and inflammation, preventing some forms of cancer, maintaining a healthy immune system, lowering your blood pressure, increasing your blood circulation, and boosting brain power. Fish oil now comes in different concentrations and also in a variety of forms. Some of these are fish oil capsules, liquid fish oil, (which now comes in several more palatable flavors), and of course fish itself. Tuna and Salmon are thought to have the highest levels of healthy Omega-3 acids. If you compare different fish oils, you will notice a variation in two types of Omega-3 acids: EPA and DHA. Researchers are divided as to which of these types of Omega-3's are more important. It seems that certain medical conditions may be helped more effectively by EPA than DHA, or vice versa. So if you plan to treat a specific health concern, then you may have to do a little bit of experimenting. How much fish oil do you need? The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish per week to support heart health. Two four-ounce servings of salmon contain approximately three total grams of EPA and DHA. I personally take one to two grams of fish oil a day. Concerned about mercury contamination? Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of mercury, some more than others. It's only in a few species of fish that mercury levels reach FDA limits for human consumption. Shark and Swordfish seem have the highest levels. Also certain species of very large tuna can have levels that exceed the recommended doses of consumption. Fortunately, fish that have the highest levels of Omega-3 also tend to have the lowest levels of mercury. FDA specialists say that eating different types of fish, in normal of eating conditions, does not put any one in danger of mercury poisoning. Remember the old adage, “everything in moderation.” It is when a person indulges in fad diets - frequently eating only one type of food or a particular species of fish - that they put themselves at risk. The added benefits of eating fish and taking fish oil supplements are too important to ignore. It is essential that one includes fish oil supplements as a part of your daily healthy living diet. David Swanson is a part time writer who is now over 50 and looking for ways to improve health and fitness You can learn more by visiting his blog at http://www.healthylivingblogger.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Swanson |
Discount Vitamins and Nutrition Products Offer Equal Health Benefits
| By Chris Robertson When it comes to discount vitamins and nutrition products, the old adage, "You get what you pay for," simply doesn't hold true. Many retail outlets and websites tout overpriced products that promise the moon and don't deliver. The results you obtain from high quality discount vitamins and nutrition products are as sound as those you get from higher priced products. Here are a few examples: Multi-Vitamins - Although some people like taking an assortment of specific vitamins, many more prefer the convenience of a multiple vitamin supplement. Different brands of vitamins - and different multi-vitamins within a given brand - contain different formulations, so it's important to look at the labels rather than the price tags. A general multi-vitamin is appropriate for most adults, although special formulations tailored to specific groups of people are available for women, for men, for older adults, and for those who are engaged in sports or other very active lifestyles. When choosing discount vitamins, look for those that offer multiple sources of nutrients and natural sources of trace minerals and micronutrients. Each person's ability to absorb nutrients is unique, so multiple sources ensure that virtually everyone can benefit. Acidophilus Powder - Acidophilus powder is a somewhat generic term for a group of dietary supplements that are probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that help the body's own beneficial bacterium and yeasts. Acidophilus powder and capsules/tablets are available in both regular formulations and those specialized for women, vegetarians, and so forth. As with discount vitamins, you can find online sources of acidophilus powder at steeply discounted prices. St John's Wort - Everyone from ancient Greeks to modern-day medical professionals have explored the benefits of St John's Wort. Found to affect the levels of serotonin in the brain, the herbal supplement can improve mild depression, help balance mood swings, and help with sleep problems. Some nutritional products include complementary formulas (such as anti-oxidants) that can also enhance well-being. Fat Burners and Weight Loss Aids: Some companies that sell the best fat burners charge premium prices, but there's no reason for you to pay high retail prices when you can buy the same products at deep discounts. Said to stimulate the body's ability to metabolize fat, the best fat burners contain no ephedrine. HydroxyCut, a popular weight loss supplement said to increase your energy, burn calories, and control appetite, is but one example of a brand name product that can be found online at a steep discount over retail prices. Similarly, you can find a carb blocker through an Internet health and body source at a fraction of the price you would pay at a retailer. Sports Nutrition: Sports nutrition is big business, but that doesn't mean that you need to spend big bucks for protein powders, health shakes, muscle formulas, and nutrition bars. Again, you can get a wide variety of high quality, brand name products at the same place where you buy your discount vitamins. Of course, prices aren't everything. When you select your online source of discount vitamins, be sure that it also offers expert advice, perhaps in the form of a free weekly newsletter. Look for writing that reflects the knowledge base of the site's owners. Insightful advice gleaned by trial and error is more valuable that the stale reiterations found on many health websites. Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Discount Vitamins: Health Benefits or Majon's Health and Beauty directory Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson |
Do Your Supplements Have This Label?
| By Brandon Johnsonn Supplements are a great way to ensure you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs for optimal performance. Ideally, the majority of these needs will be met through the perfect daily diets, consisting of several servings of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, that we all follow all the time, right? If, however, you are one of the very few Americans not following a strict non-obesity-causing meal plan at all times, supplements are a great way to supplement your questionable food choices. But, how do you know which dietary supplements are safe, or which ones actually work? Unfortunately, the internet has created a perfect environment for drug-peddling scum bags to sell fake and/or dangerous supplements to unsuspecting victims. This is why you should always do your research before buying any pills, powders, or creams. Search for reviews on any product you're interested in and try to stick to large name-brand companies. Due to the overwhelming number of different supplements being released all the time, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) cannot possibly oversee every product, so you're pretty much on your own. USP Verified Supplements Fortunately, one organization is trying to help: U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). The USP rigorously tests and verifies that supplements adhere to the following guidelines: What's on the label is in fact in the bottle—all the listed ingredients in the declared amount. The supplement does not contain harmful levels of contaminants. The supplement will break down and release ingredients in the body The supplement has been made under good manufacturing practices. USP is an independent, not-for-profit organization. No other organization in the U.S. that tests supplements is recognized in federal law as the nation's official standard-setting body for medicines and supplements. USP standards are enforceable by the FDA. The only downside to the USP: It's completely optional, and the supplement manufacturers have to pay to have their product tested. So, it's important to note that just because a supplement doesn't display the USP logo, it could still be completely safe and effective; it just means they chose not to voluntarily submit to the USP's testing process. Hopefully, as time goes on, more and more companies will begin submitting to the USP, giving you added confidence in the safety of each supplement. Until then, remember to research any product before you buy: search for reviews on Google, ask members of your gym, talk to GNC or other supplement store reps, etc. If you're going to take any supplements at all, the two you should research first are Fish Oil and Multivitamins. Both provide some of the most tested and proven benefits of any modern-day "wonder drugs." FitBuff.com is your portal to total mind and body fitness. We have a variety of articles, advice, and information to help you improve your overall life across ten different categories: brain power, dating, exercise, family, grooming, money, nutrition, sex, stress, and work. FitBuff.com - Total Mind and Body Fitness Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Johnsonn |
The Essential Top 6 Best Muscle Building Supplements
| By J.M. Ferreira If you're old enough to remember, or lucky enough to have saved some bodybuilding magazines from the 80's then you could see which muscle building supplements they were advertising then and which ones are still being advertised today. There's a few that have carried on because they work. Truth is, so many products come and go because they're fads and simply don't do what they promised. It's easy to get your head spinning and wondering about all the ads in the mags and what people say about this new product and that. If you're serious about bodybuilding but haven't been at it for several years or you aren't getting ready for a contest, then the best advice about muscle building supplements is "stick to the basics". There have been a few constant, proven supplements that have helped people speed up their muscle building process. Products that have not gone away and won't because they are part of the basic building blocks of a complete bodybuilding program. Here they are: 1) Protein Supplements (Whey Protein, Meal Replacements, Protein Bars)2) Creatine3) Glutamine4) Multivitamins & Minerals5) Essencial Fatty Acids6) Glucosamine 1) Whey ProteinSince muscles require protein and lots of it for growth we give the NO.1 spot to protein. Of all the types of protein available whey protein is the beat you can put into your body. Why? Because it rates highest in "bio-availability" meaning the largest amounts will be absorbed into your body than any other type of protein. Whey Protein has all of the essential amino acids and is high in the Branch Chain Amino Acids which will prevent your muscle tissue from breaking down during your workouts. The two main types of whey protein you'll find on the market are isolate and concentrate. Both are of the highest quality and the difference is isolate tends to mix better in liquid and some people say it tastes better. You can also buy products which are a mixture of both isolate and concentrate whey protein. To make sure you get all your protein requirements every day, whey protein is the way to go. Meal Replacements (MRP's)Meal replacement powders have become very popular probably because of their convenience. Whereas whey protein has just one type of protein and no real amounts of carbs, fats, or vitamins and minerals, a MRP usually has several types of protein like casein, milk, egg, and whey combined along with carbs, vitamins and minerals so it really is more of a meal. The good thing about MRP's is the convenient packets and the more complete nutrient value but the the downside is they are more expensive than the pure protein products. Protein Bars Protein bars can have their place. You can take them anywhere with you and just start chewing, no powders to mix or anything like that so convenience is really the key with bars. The downside is they are usually higher in sugar and are made with a lower quality protein found in the other products mentioned above.. 2) CreatineThis supplement is the most popular muscle building product used today, and for good reason... it really does work. It has been proven in the lab and in the gym. Here's what it does for you:1) will increase your lean muscle and strength2) will speed up your recovery time3) decrease lactic acid production4) decrease mental fatigue Recently, more studies have been made on creatine and there is great news about it's benefits for not only muscle builders but for all around health. It has been shown to improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. It improves sarcopenia which is a loss of muscle mass due to aging, improves function of the brain, and improves cardiac function in those with congestive heart failure. A truly modern supper supplement if ever there was one. 3) GlutamineGlutamine another of the basic and essential muscle building supplements. It's noticeable effects won't be as instant as creatine but rather help you get faster overall gains in the long term. It is one of the amino acids who's major role is to make protein for your body. It promotes muscle growth while decreasing muscle catabolism, which is when your muscles get stressed and start to break down after being heavily stressed from a hard workout which will have a negative affect on the glutamine levels in your body. Providing sufficient amounts of glutamine will eliminate this muscle-robbing catabolic state. Your body gets gluamine from protien-rich foods like diary, poultry, red meat, fish and beans but to get a lot of it you'd have to eat real large amounts of these foods so a supplement for additional glutamine is a good idea. 4) Multivitamins & MineralsIn a perfect world, with a perfectly balanced diet you wouldn't need to take a multivitamin & mineral pill but unfortunately most of us don't eat perfectly balanced diets and if we did chances of our food being nutrient rich and organic are not too good. There are thousands of reactions going on in our bodies which rely on enzymes. Vitamins ensure that enzymes are there in quality and quantity to make sure these chemical reactions happen efficiently in our bodies constantly. So vitamins are important for overall health but for muscle building as well. Hard workouts will tax many vitamins in your body and therefore to keep the muscle building process happening in a positive way, supplementation is key. 5) Essential Fatty AcidsA good portion of your diet needs to be fat. No, not the kind that comes from greasy fries or doughnuts but the good, natural fat we can get from peanuts, avocados, cold water fish like salmon, olive oil and flax seed oil. Fatty acids will improve your metabolism, increase your testosterone production and your growth hormone secretion therefore playing an important role in building muscle. 6) GlucosamineWhen glutamine joins forces with glucose, they form a sulfate called glucosamine. Most simple carbohydrates are used as an energy source but glucosamine gets right into the structure of your body tissues. The sulfate chondroitin can also help to prevent injuries by getting around your joint surfaces and giving a smooth range of motion. This works well with glucosamine and some companies have created products using both. Not only does it help in reducing joint inflammation and pain, it actually treats the problem by rebuilding damaged cartilage and connective tissue. There you have it, the top 6 best muscle building supplements you can use to round out your work out program to get the maximum amount of gains. Remember, these supplements won't work unless you do! Most of your gains will come from hard work and a good diet. Used as part of a good training program you will see results a lot faster with the proper supplements. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.M._Ferreira |
Side Effects of Fish Oil Supplements
| By Kevin T. Lee With all the talk about the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil supplements are gaining popularity as excellent source of these healthy fats. But are these marine oils healthy for you and your children? What about side effects from fish oil supplements? Although there have been hundreds of studies and research on the health benefits of fish oils and omega 3 fatty acids, there are few actual studies on the side effects from fish oil. Fortunately, one such study was performed by the Tufts - New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practise Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Researchers gathered over 100 different fish oil studies to see if there were any side effects from using fish oil supplements. Fish oil dosages ranged from a few hundred milligrams a day to over eight grams a day. The duration of each research study varied from a few days to over seven years. Researchers found more than half of these studies displayed no side effects from fish oil supplements. The most common side effect was gastrointestinal, such as diarrhea. This was reported in less than 7% of all fish oil studies. There were no reports of sudden death, life-threatening illness, handicaps or disabilities from taking fish oil supplements. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids reduce the risk for blood clots and make your blood thinner. Therefore, people with bleeding disorders or taking anti-coagulant medication should consult with their doctor before taking fish oil supplements. The New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practise Center concluded that any side effects from fish oil supplements would be minor. People experiencing side effects can reduce their effects by simply reducing the dosage of fish oils or discontinue taking them. Other side effects of fish oil may be fishy burps or a fishy aftertaste. These side effects can be avoided by using pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements. Pharmaceutical-grade fish oils do not contain mercury, PCB's or other contaminants. You can buy these high grade fish oils in lemon, orange, and peach flavors. These flavors help eliminate that fishy aftertaste and the potential for bad breath from fish oils. Fish oils provide an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. These essential fats support healthy cellular growth and metabolism. Not only do omega 3's reduce your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and lower your risk for allergies, they also have an anti-inflammatory effect in your body. With all these benefits, it makes sense you get enough of these healthy fats in your diet. Fish oil supplements are a great way to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function at its best. Kevin L. owns http://www.Healthy-Oil-Planet.com a website on the health benefits of fish oils, tea tree oil, flaxseed oils and more. Learn how to choose the right oil for your own health needs and read the latest medical studies on the benefits of these healthy oils. If you're interested in more information on the health benefits of fish oils, CLICK HERE: http://www.healthy-oil-planet.com/fish-oils.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_T._Lee |