Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 09:56 pm by admin
Vitamin D is fat soluble type of vitamin which is naturally present in very few foods. It is produced from ultraviolet rays of sun. It is essential for absorption of calcium. It is also needed for bone growth and remodeling of bones. In early 20th century scientists found out a childhood disease which could be prevented by vitamin d. It is also called calciferol. It is also important in strengthening bones. There are two types of vitamin d and they are Ergosterol and Ergocalciferol. It has also been called the “sunshine vitamin” because we absorb it from sun.
Benefits of high vitamin d food:
-> It helps in preventing various diseases like chronic disease, type2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis and colon cancer. -> It helps in keeping teeth and bones healthy and strong. -> It regulates the growth of cells. -> It reduces inflammation. -> Events that indicate need for vitamin d: -> Soft bones or pain in bones. -> Growth retardation or bone deformities in children. -> Bone fractures occurred frequently. -> Lack of exposure to sunlight.
Food sources of vitamin d include milk, eggs, cod, salmon, sardines and shrimp. Other foods also provide vitamin d cod liver oil, margarine, fortified butter, herring, kippers, mackerel, pilchards, tuna, roe and some fortified breakfast cereals. Out of which the richest source is Sockeye salmon. Unless there is good exposure of skin to sunlight the recommended dose of vitamin D for an average adults up to 10mcg per day. Pregnant and lactating women needs more.
To read about and other information, visit the site.
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 08:39 pm by admin
There is much talk these days about getting the good oils in your diet and to be honest a lot of this can be very confusing. Here is a simple guide to the best oils and how to get more of them into your diet.
Saturated oils like sunflower are the ones you should try to lower and contain omega 6 which most of us are guilty of consuming too much of. It can lead to heart disease and many other health conditions.
The good oils are the omega 3 ones as they are polyunsaturated and over 90% of the population is estimated to be deficient in them. The main reason for this is that the body cannot make them and the main source, fresh fish, is no longer popular or healthy because of the contamination.
This means you could be missing out on health benefits like prevention of heart disease, lower cholesterol, improved brain health and lower blood pressure to name just a few.
In fact, leading health experts agree that adding omega 3 fish oils to your diet is probably the single most important dietary change you can make to improve your health.
Studies have also shown them to be beneficial for avoiding and treating Alzheimer’s and cut the symptoms of schizophrenia by over 25%. The positive effect on the brain is noted in children as it helps them to improve their speech and coordination and even raise their IQ levels.
To help you get the good oils from fish, here is a quick guide on what to look for.
Of the two main omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, it is DHA you want more of to get the maximum benefits. I would recommend getting at least 270mg in each capsule or you will miss out on the important benefits.
Unless the oil is proven to be pure, molecular distillation is recommended to remove harmful impurities like mercury and arsenic and to concentrate the oil further.
The Hoki fish from New Zealand is currently the best as it is completely pure and high in DHA fats making it an ideal choice for a supplement.
If you follow these tips you will find the good oils that you need to stay healthy and avoid many diseases in the future.
If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.
Get my free five-part mini course on the health benefits of for the whole family today.
To sign up for the course and for more tips on the importance of DHA omega 3 fish oil, visit my website
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 06:19 pm by admin
Only more recently has the importance of omega 3 fish oil become more prominent and the question of what is DHA used for more frequently asked. A recent scientific breakthrough shows us just how essential it is for our health.
American and British scientists recently discovered that DHA is converted by the body into Resolvin D2, a powerful anti-inflammatory chemical that helps to prevent heart disease and treat arthritis and many other conditions besides.
This means that of the two main omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, DHA is by far the most important one and not EPA as was previously thought. Our brains are also made up of over 30% DHA fats to further illustrate how vital it is.
Other benefits include lowering of the bad or LDL cholesterol and raising the good or HDL levels, lowering high blood pressure, greatly improved brain health leading to better memory and prevention of breast and prostate cancers.
With regards to brain health, DHA is used for increasing development, especially in children and helps with their verbal skills, eyesight and overall comprehension, even raising their IQ levels.
If you want to get these and many more benefits, the best source is cold water fatty fish but due to contamination experts recommend a fish oil supplement instead.
The problem then is trying to find the most effective ones to get the maximum DHA benefits, so here is a quick guide on what to look for.
It goes without saying that you want optimal DHA levels and you will find that most supplements today still have more EPA as it is easier to source and cheaper to produce. I would recommend that you get at least 250mg of DHA in each capsule.
A quality oil will deliver much more benefits and to ensure the toxins are removed, they should have undergone molecular distillation unless the fish is very pure with no toxins present. At the moment only the Hoki fish from New Zealand can claim that and it’s also extremely high in DHA fats.
Now you know the answer to what is DHA used for and how to find the best source you can confidently select the best and enjoy all the many benefits that they provide, helping you to stay healthy in the future too.
If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.
Get my free five-part mini course on the health benefits of for the whole family today.
To sign up for the course and for more tips on the importance of DHA omega 3 fish oil, visit my website
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 01:43 pm by admin
What is high potency fish oil? That seems to be a relative question. Manufacturers often say that their products are “extra potent”, but they are comparing them to their “regular” or standard versions, rather than to other brands on the market. Let’s take a look at what you should be buying.
The supplements provide essential omega-3 fatty acids known as Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid or EPA and DHA. Some brands also include Docosapentaenoic acid or DPA, if the species used swims in very cold waters.
EPA, DHA and DPA are not found in other dietary sources, unless the foods have been fortified with them. It is important to evaluate omega-3 fortified foods, because they may contain alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, which is prevalent in the human diet. Fortification is unnecessary. Plus, the health benefits of DPA, EPA and DHA do not accompany ALA.
Ideally, your diet would contain mostly foods that are balanced in omega-3 to 6 content. But, if you eat foods that contain corn oil or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, you are getting unhealthy fats.
Your best choices, when it comes to your diet, are to use olive or canola oils for cooking. Eat a few walnuts or pecans. It is doubtful that even high potency fish oil could correct health problems caused by a diet high in saturated, trans-fats and omega-6 fatty acids. Striving for a diet that is lower in total fat grams and rich in natural sources of omega-3s is what’s best for your health.
Unless you eat a lot of fish, your brain needs DHA and EPA. Your heart needs both and DPA has been shown to contribute to overall cardiovascular health.
So, when you are comparing supplements, those are the things to look for. A label that says “high potency fish oil” does not necessarily “mean” anything. You need to look on the back of the bottle.
The average gel cap contains 1000mg or a gram of oils. Those oils contain a mixture of omega-3s, 6s and 9s. In some cases, depending on the supplement, the oils may also contain saturated or trans-fatty acids. Those are to be avoided.
The nutrition facts should indicate the total omega-3s provided by each capsule. 500mg or more is a good amount to look for. It should contain a minimum of 280mg of DHA and at least 120mg of EPA. The better supplements contain at least 50mg of DPA and very little omega-6s.
Some high potency fish oil is concentrated to provide more omega-3s, but the concentration process seems to reduce some of the natural health-giving qualities. A recent study compared the anti-inflammatory activity of a concentrated supplement containing 850mg of total omega-3s to one that contained natural triglycerides and only 500mg of omega-3s. The study found that the natural triglyceride form had more anti-inflammatory activity, even though it contained a little less omega-3s.
So, now you know what to look for when you go out shopping. High potency fish oil might not really be the best choice, after all is said and done.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 09:22 am by admin
What is fish oil good for? That seems to be the question of the day. The supplement is among the most popular in the US, topped only by the daily multi-vitamin.
Despite all of that popularity, there are still many people that are unaware of the benefits. If you happen to be one of them, this article is for you. But, first, let me give you just a little advice about choosing a good supplement.
Regardless of what kind of supplement you are taking, whether it is a standard multi-vitamin or an herbal extract, it is important to find out what steps the manufacturer takes to insure purity.
When we are talking about herbs, the impurities in question are herbicides and pesticides. We have enough inadvertent exposure to those things. We don’t need them in a medicinal remedy.
When it comes to multi-vitamins, the most common contaminants are unwanted ingredients, like artificial preservatives, colors and flavorings. Those things may be found in fish oil supplements, too. But, mercury and PCBs are the major concern. The toxins are in our oceans and our fish. Obviously, they could be in the oils, too.
Now, that we have covered that. What is fish oil good for, anyway?
There are benefits for any inflammatory condition, including arthritis, inflammatory bowel, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, eczema, psoriasis and acne. The manufacturers are not allowed to say that the supplement is useful for treating those conditions, because, in the US, that would make it a drug.
There is one FDA approved drug for the treatment of very high blood triglycerides that contains only omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil. Many doctors question the practicality of prescribing the expensive drug, when supplements are just as effective.
Here’s another question that many people ask. What is fish oil good for, when it comes to heart health and why?
The supplements have been shown to lower blood triglycerides. High triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease. They have anti-coagulant activity like aspirin, but without the aspirin side effects. They have been shown to have a modest effect on hypertension or high blood pressure and they improve a person’s blood level of “good” HDL cholesterol. They relax the smooth muscles, prevent blood platelets from adhering to the arterial walls and reduce chronic inflammation, which plays a role in atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
So, what is fish oil good for when it comes to the heart and circulatory system? It’s good for pretty much everything. It helps to correct the problems caused by unhealthy dietary fats and modulates the effects of the aging process.
The supplement is also good for firming the skin, weight management, infertility issues and depression, among other things. It provides essential omega-3 fatty acids that are largely missing from the modern-day diet.
Hopefully, this article answers most of your questions. Just remember to evaluate the supplement carefully before you buy it. What is fish oil good for if it contains contaminants? It’s not good for anything.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 07:37 am by admin
Winter season is around the corner and that means less time spent outside. The cold weather and gray skies may be doing more to sabotage your weight than you think. The colder temperatures seem to bring on cravings for foods containing carbohydrates, fats and sugars. People are tempted to eat heavy meals, like pastas with heavy sauces, mashed potatoes, creamy soups and bread. Make small adjustments to your winter routines to combat winter pounds. Small steps will make simple changes lifelong habits.
Drink two glasses of vegetable juice every day. A higher intake of vegetables can promote weight loss, but it isn’t always convenient to prepare and eat fresh foods. Vegetable juice is a convenient, enjoyable way to help you get your recommended daily servings. Drinking vegetable juice, according research conducted at the Baylor College helped overweight individuals with metabolic syndrome lose more weight than non-juice drinkers.
Everyone seems to want to avoid winter weight gain. Here’s how to do just that: -
1. Eat more plant based foods. Diets low in plant based foods can affect both health and weight, and may in part be responsible for annual weight gain. (See “How to Prevent Obesity and Disease with Plant Based Foods”.)
2. Be watchful of what you eat. The holidays, being inside more, less activity and boredom, all play a part in our eating (or overeating) patterns in the winter. Our tendencies during the colder season is to eat heavier foods (typically termed “comfort” foods), such as macaroni and cheese, cream based soups, and others.
3. Exercise every day. Thirty minutes a day is a good starting point, provided you are healthy enough for that level of physical activity. In poor weather, move your workout indoors. A small trampoline for jogging and exercise is a small investment that can improve your health and fitness level.
4. Add Vitamin D to Your Diet – winter means shorter days and less sun, which results in your body absorbing less vitamin D. Research, has shown that people who do not get enough Vitamin D in their diet or through direct sunlight are at a higher risk of obesity.
5. Drink two glasses of vegetable juice every day. A higher intake of vegetables can promote weight loss, but it isn’t always convenient to prepare and eat fresh foods.
Winter Foods: -
1. Butternut, pumpkins and squash are great sources of beta-carotene, one of the most powerful antioxidants in our winter arsenal.
2. Mushrooms enhance immune response by boosting the production of white blood cells. It brings vitality to the cells by increasing cellular metabolism, removing toxins and preventing free radical damage.
3. Chicken is a good source of selenium and vitamin E, the antioxidants that can boost immunity. Hot chicken soup blocks the migration of inflammatory white cells because cold symptoms are a response to the cells’ accumulation in the bronchial tubes.
4. Fish is a rich source of zinc and the omega-3 fatty acids, both of which boost health in winter. Zinc increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection and helps your body to fight diseases more aggressively.
5. Tea has many health benefits ranging from possible cancer prevention to lowering the risk for overweight. Now, research also shows that tea might boost immunity. Tea is rich in polyphones as well as a number of other chemicals that can help protect the body against cold or flu.
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/09/2009 01:30 am by admin
Let’s face it. Judging fish oil quality can be easy or difficult, depending on the information provided by the supplement manufacturers. Some people feel that it is better to take the pharmaceutical or prescription form, rather than the supplement, but there is no guarantee that it’s any better, even though the prescription form costs ten times as much as the dietary supplement.
In some cases, you get what you pay for, but that’s not always true. In this case, my own personal research has revealed that the best supplement on the market costs less than $20 per month, per person.
For that price, you get 1000mg of total omega-3s per day, 560mg of DHA, 240mg of EPA and 100mg of DPA. DPA is one of the lesser known omega-3s, but the latest research indicates that it contributes to a person’s cardiovascular health.
DPA is not found in the prescription omega-3. Although it does contain more omega-3s per capsule, because of the concentration process used, it does not contain 10 times more or even twice as much. It provides 840mg of omega-3s per gram vs. the 500mg per gram found in the supplement that I take. So, there is no way to explain the high price of the pharmaceutical product. It is certainly not due to the fish oil quality.
When you are comparing supplements, look at the total omega-3s provided, the amount of DHA, EPA and DPA. That information should be on the bottle’s nutrition facts label.
To find out about contaminants, such as mercury and PCBs, visit the manufacturer’s website. The company should post a company of a COA from an independent laboratory. In the best brands, there is no detectable level of contaminants.
The final factor to consider when judging fish oil quality is the level of oxidation, which has to do with freshness. If you have ever taken a supplement and experienced fishy tasting burps, the culprit was not the supplement, itself, but a high level of oxidation.
Basically, it was not fresh, when it was encapsulated. The best manufacturers guarantee that there will be no fishy tasting burps, because the level of oxidation is low, meaning that the level of freshness is very high.
Omega-3 supplements are advertised as “heart healthy”. The prescription omega-3 is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of very high triglycerides, although doctors are prescribing it for many purposes.
But, the primary benefit, according to researchers, is due to the supplement’s anti-inflammatory activity. Depending on the fish oil quality, it may be as effective as aspirin against inflammation, but without the aspirin side effects.
Many of us feel that people do not need more drugs. They need to be told how to eat and what supplements to take. Doctors seem fearful of recommending dietary supplements. They say that more research is needed.
Generally speaking, the pharmaceutical companies do less research before they get a drug approved by the FDA than has been done about the benefits of omega-3 supplements. Now that you know how to judge fish oil quality, you should be able to find a safe and affordable brand. No help needed from the FDA.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
