Archive for July 6th, 2005
Vitamin supplements are great as supplements to your diet, but in some cases overdoses can occur. The human body can withstand only so much of one type of vitamin. There can be deadly results from consuming extreme amounts of vitamins. There are many vitamins and minerals the body needs to be healthy. The vitamins that the body can not store such as vitamin C, are the vitamins that the human body needs and could use extra amounts. The vitamins the body does store like vitamins E, A and D can be taken to the extreme of causing a vitamin overdose.
The human body only needs one or two milligrams of vitamin B6 per day, but they are sold in one-gram quantities. When taking this dose of vitamin B6 only take one table every two days and drink plenty of water. If an overdose of vitamin B6 occurs it could cause serious damage, it could cause sensory control and motor control loss.
Vitamin E is another vitamin that is often mistreated. There are extreme side effects of consuming more than the body can absorb. The body’s system only needs one hundred to three hundred milligrams of vitamin E per day. There are vitamin supplements on the market that are sold to help grow nails and hair. These are often abused, you need only to take one tablet per day, and consume at least eight glasses of water per day. If an overdose of vitamin E occurs it could cause blood clots, fatigue, tumors in the breast, and reproductive problems.
Consumers are unaware of the dangers of vitamins A and D. Most people take vitamins A and D they same way they take vitamin C. The only difference is that if vitamin C is taken in excess it is passed through the kidneys and flushed out of the body. But vitamins A and D are stored in the body’s fat and the liver, causing sever consequences. By consuming extreme amounts of vitamins A and D, it could result in Cirrhosis of the liver, fatigue and dry and itchy skin.
When taking any vitamin supplements only take as directed, it is best to always consult your physician first. Talk to your doctor about concerns of vitamin deficiency, and he will be able to do the proper testing and diagnose a proper vitamin diet.
July 6th, 2005
Contrary to what its name suggests, the condition called heartburn’ is not a problem with the heart, but a problem with the digestive system of the body. It is just that the pain experienced in heartburn occurs so close to our usual notion of the heart’s position, so much so that the source of the pain has often been misconstrued to be the heart itself.
Heartburn is that uncomfortable, almost burning sensation often felt behind the breastbone, even climbing up to the level of the throat, after a substantial meal is taken beyond satiety. The condition may also be caused by other factors but overeating remains the most prevalent cause. The pain usually worsens when the sufferer lies down or bends over. This may distinguish it from pain originating from the heart, which, on the other hand, may persist with the same intensity regardless of position. The person may also begin belching, and a sour to bitter taste may accompany each belch. Sometimes, breathing becomes noisy and high-pitched, as the airway of a person suffering heartburn may constrict as a reaction to the noxious acidic juices going up the throat. In worse cases, airway constriction may cause a choking sensation. It goes without saying that should this be observed, immediate medical help must be sought.
Heartburn is caused by acidic digestive juices from the stomach overflowing or going back into the muscular tube through which food passes into the stomach from the mouth, called the esophagus. Aside from eating beyond satiety, eating hurriedly and not chewing food properly can also cause heartburn. Food with high fat content especially predisposes to heartburn, as well as spicy food, chocolates, alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea. Certain medicines may also cause heartburn. A person eating in a stressed state may also experience heartburn. Eating with tight pants and belts, or lifting weights or squatting after eating also cause heartburn. Pregnant women are especially predisposed to heartburn largely because the growing baby in the womb may push up the stomach, and subsequently its contents, out into the esophagus, whenever the mother takes a meal, even one of usual amount.
Because the esophagus is not intended to be in contact with such acidic juices, as compared to the stomach which is, the esophagus sends out signals of pain to the brain upon contact with these juices. Sometimes, the pain is so intense that it can be mistaken to be the pain associated with a heart attack. In such cases where the pain is severe, it is advisable to assume the worst and immediately seek medical help. Sometimes a heart burn can be a symptom of a heart attack.
To prevent heartburn obviously means avoiding the things that cause it, or predispose one to it. A lot of the preventive measures are thus behavioral, like improving eating habits and avoiding fatty and spicy food, chocolates, alcohol, coffee and tea. Weight reduction also prevents heartburn, in that clothes tend to be less tight around the abdomen in slim people, aside from the fact that obese people necessarily tend to indulge more on the food and drinks which lead to heartburn. Eating should be done in a relaxed manner, and stresses should, for the time being, neglected while eating. Lying down, bending over, squatting, or lifting heavy objects after eating must also be discouraged.
Reference:
Medical Media Information (Netherlands). Philippines Health Guide. MediMedia Asia Pte Ltd. 1998.
July 6th, 2005
MODERATE (125 - 225 mg per serving)
These foods can be a large part of most people’s balanced nutrition plan. Persons restricting their potassium might be cautioned to include no more than one or two servings from this list per day, depending on their medical restrictions.
*Apple juice
*Asparagus
*Beets
*Blackberries
*Broccoli
*Carrots
*Cherries
*Corn
*Eggplant
*Grapefruit
*Green peas
*Loose-leaf lettuce
*Mushrooms, fresh
*Onions
*Peach
*Pears
*Pineapple
*Raisins
*Raspberries
*Strawberries
*Summer squash, including zucchini
*Tangerines
*Watermelon
LOW potassium (less than 125 mg per serving)
These foods give less electrolyte value per serving for people who need to increase their potassium levels.
They should be a major part of the menu plan for people limiting their intake.
*Apples
*Bell peppers
*Blueberries
*Cabbage
*Cranberries
*Cranberry juice
*Cucumber
*Fruit cocktail
*Grapes
*Green beans
*Iceberg lettuce
*Mandarin oranges, canned
*Mushrooms
*Peaches, canned
*Pineapple, fresh
*Plums
July 6th, 2005
Potassium, along with calcium and sodium, is an electrolyte (mineral salt) important to the human nervous system, muscle function, fluid balance and heart, kidney and adrenal functions. A deficiency of potassium (hypokalemia) can manifest as weakness, fatigue, confusion, heart irregularities, and sometimes problems in muscular coordination. Insufficient potassium can also exaggerate the effects of sodium. The first sign of a potassium deficiency is usually a generalized weakness.
Most people get sufficient potassium in a reasonably healthy diet — one that includes fresh fruits and vegetables and is low in sodium. Mineral imbalances can occur from starvation diets, but more commonly results from excessive fluid loss from sweating, diarrhea, or the use of diuretics and laxatives.
People who exercise heavily, and therefore sweat heavily, have higher potassium needs, they may need to take supplements to balance the electrolyte levels, or to bulk up their menus with high potassium foods.
On the other hand, people who suffer from some diseases, including diabetes and renal (kidney) failure can no longer metabolize minerals properly and need to guard against getting too much in their diet.
Since potassium has not been one of the nutritional values required in food labeling, determining the amount of dietary potassium has been more difficult than, for example, sodium or fat content in foods. This changed in November, 2000, effective in the year 2001, potassium content will be included in the labeling on food packaging.
People without the ordinary potassium requirements — either a need to supplement because of fluid loss, or a need to limit their intake — should consult with their physician or nutritionist to determine their specific needs from each group.
For general guidelines, Duke University Medical Center and the American Kidney Foundation have divided foods into low, moderate and high potassium groups. Some of the more common foods in each category are:
HIGH potassium (more than 225 milligrams per 1/2 c. serving)
These foods would be beneficial to athletes or to others who incur heavy fluid loss. Patients on potassium-restricted diets should avoid them, or eat them sparingly, as advised by their nutritionist.
*All meats, poultry and fish are high in potassium.
*Apricots (fresh more so than canned)
*Avocado
*Banana
*Cantaloupe
*Honeydew
*Kiwi
*Lima beans
*Milk
*Oranges and orange juice
*Potatoes (can be reduced to moderate by soaking peeled, sliced potatoes overnight before cooking)
*Prunes
*Spinach
*Tomatoes
*Vegetable juice
*Winter squash
Continued in Part II
July 6th, 2005
Olive oil is a staple in the diet of Mediterranean countries. It is used not only in cooking, but also used liberally mixed with vinegar as a dressing, and even with cracked black pepper as a dipping sauce for foccacia bread. 40 years ago, when research of the Greeks living on the island of Crete, researchers where amazed by the results. Despite the high fat content in the traditional Greek diet, the residents of the island had an exceptionally low occurrence of heart disease. This led researchers to examine the diets of the Greek people to try to figure out what factors contribute to this low rate of heart disease. Their conclusion? Olive oil! The Greeks do not eat much butter or margarine, substituting olive oil instead.
By replacing the saturated fats in your diet with monosaturated fat, such as olive oil, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level is lowered. However, the beneficial high-density proteins are left alone, thus the dangerous, artery clogging fat does not continue to accumulate. The benefits of this are long reaching. In a scientific project called the Seven Countries Study determined that 46 percent of middle aged deaths in American men were due to heart disease, while the percentage of deaths in Crete were only 4 percent-over 10 times lower. In addition to the benefits of the monounsaturated fats in olive oil, there are several other compounds that can benefit your health. These can stop damage in your arteries before it starts. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants found in olive oil. These antioxidants disable the free radical oxygen molecules produced naturally by your body. This keeps the free radicals from attacking the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) which lowers the chances that they will stick to artery walls, clogging them and causing heart disease. The conclusion? Adding olive oil to your diet can help to keep your arteries clear.
In addition to being beneficial to your heart, there is evidence that it may also be able to help protect your breast as well. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Athens School of Public Health studied the effects of olive oil on more than 2,300 women. They discovered that women who consumed olive oil more than once a day had a 25% lower risk of breast cancer, and in fact the female population of Greece is much less likely to die from breast cancer than woman in the United States. They believe the high concentration of vitamin E, which has been proven to slow or stop cell damage, found in olive oil , as well as, the polyphenols mentioned earlier contribute to this benefit.
To get the most benefit from olive oil, make sure to look for extra virgin olive oil. This oil comes from the very first cold press of the olive and contains the highest and purest amounts of disease fighting polyphenols. Also, unlike other oils, olive oil should be kept cool, either in the refrigerator of other dark cool spot. This will make sure your olive oil maintains its protective qualities, as well as its great taste.
Use olive oil moderately, as it contains 120 calories per tablespoon.
July 6th, 2005
Always check with your doctor before taking any additional supplements.
If you remember, when you were a child, your parents saying, eat this or eat that because it is good for you and it will help you grow up to be strong. Well, they were right, your diet when you are young has a lot to do with your health as an adult. Many of the degenerative changes that happen as we get older can be eliminated or at least delayed by a proper diet when we are in our youth.
As a person gets older especially into the elderly years their appetite declines with age, so when you are older you do not get the proper nutrition that is needed to subdue infections and ward off diseases. In most cases an unhealthy diet is the cause of the infections and or disease when you become older. A person that has eaten fatty foods all their life are at extremely high risks of heart disease, heart failure such as strokes and heart attacks. A person that has consumed a high amount of alcohol through their life is at high risk of liver, pancreas, and kidney malfunctions, not to mention cancer.
It is best to begin in your youth by eating healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits and of course meats. There have been studies about the Mormons who stay on a vegetable and meat menu and avoid indulgence in harmful drinks and smoking, they are known to live a longer life, but a healthier longer life.
As the body ages it does not need as much as it does when it is younger. The body’s metabolism slows down and the body does not need as many calories to function. But there are certain vitamins and minerals that an older body needs that the younger body can use less of. The minerals and vitamins such as Calcium, an older body needs more to prevent osteoporosis and to keep the bones healthy, vitamin D is needed to help absorb the calcium. Zinc is needed to combat against infections, because with age the body’s immune system also degenerates. Fiber is important because the stomach muscles weaken with age and fiber helps prevent constipation.
The older the person gets the more the diet needs to change to provide for the body’s needs. There are basic guidelines for the nutrition of an elderly person. An older person should try to eat at least six servings of starches per day, such as whole grains, bread, dried beans, potatoes and pasta are all good sources. The body also needs at least six servings of fruits and vegetables, such as fresh fruits, broccoli, cabbage, and berries all are good sources of vitamin C and A, these are needed to promote the immune system to avoid deadly infections. High protein foods should be eating at least at two servings, lean beef, chicken and eggs are suggested. Dairy products are definitely needed to help the bones retain their stability.
Also, remember exercise is important part of staying healthy. If you suffer from appetite loss, the exercise is good for stimulating the appetite also.
July 6th, 2005
Potatoes, the favorite staple of man, did not actually become a favorite staple of Western Civilization until just about 250 years ago. But potatoes were cultivated in the mountains of Peru for thousands of years, and were thought to be an important diet source of the Incas.
When the Spanish Conquistadors, who were in search of gold and silver, found the potato instead, they soon began shipping it back to Spain on their ships in the 1530’s. However, Western Civilization did not trust the potato, because it is a member of the deadly nightshade family, and contains toxic alkaloids. So it took some 200 years for potatoes to catch on. In fact, it is said that if potatoes were a new discovery in today’s day and age, scientists would probably condemn it as not safe for human consumption.
Of course, potatoes are a highly nutritious vegetable, being rich in vitamin C, the B-complex vitamins, and have good doses of the minerals iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus.
Besides being an economical and nutritious food source, potatoes also have medicinal properties. A potato tuber is antispasmodic, mild anodyne, digestive remedy, diuretic, and emollient.
A potato is good for stomach ulcer, duodenum ulcer and stomach acidity. To use the potato for these ulcerous conditions, wash and grate several red skinned raw potatoes. (Other colors are also good, but the red is considered the best for this purpose.) Put in a cheesecloth and squeeze to remove the juice. Or slice the potatoes, sprinkle with a small amount of salt, let sit overnight and collect the juice the next morning. Drink 1/2 cup of this raw potato juice three times a day before meals for a great benefit. The juice is also considered a good liver remedy and can be helpful for gallstones and other gallbladder problems. Some believe that a small amount of potato juice applied to the temples during a headache can bring relief.
Mashed potatoes have been used as a poultice to many aches and pains over the years. And slices of raw potatoes can soothe skin inflammations, burns and scalds and chilblains. For burns, mix a grated raw potato with a little olive oil, and apply to affected area. This mixture works well for dry, chapped skin as well.
So as you see, potatoes are good for your stomach in more ways than one!
July 6th, 2005
For decades, soy has only been found in health food stores, laughed at by those of us who eat “normal†food. Soy aficionados may have the last laugh! Preliminary results of research being done on soy have displayed some very exciting data. Compounds found in soy and its “familyâ€-tofu tempeh and soy milk- have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, lower cholesterol levels, and lessen some of the discomfort of menopause.
In fact some research is pointing toward the addition to soy in the diet of menopausal women as a possible supplement or alternative to estrogen replacement therapy. A study conducted at the Brighton Medical Clinic in Victoria, Australia showed that women who were given 1-1/2 ounces of soy flour every day for 3 months lowered the occurrence of hot flashes by a whopping 40%. The healing agents in soy are phytoestrogens. These are weaker versions of the estrogen women produce naturally, which run the range of benefits including blocking some of the negative effect of natural estrogen and supplementing estrogen levels when the body is running low. By blocking the overproduction of estrogen, which is thought to cause breast tumors, soy can lower the overall risk of breast cancer. In pre-menopausal women, it is also believed that the consumption of soy can lengthen the menstrual cycle. By doing so, the estrogen surges that happen at the beginning of the cycle occur with less frequency, thus reducing the lifelong exposure to the hormone.
Soy is not just beneficial to women though, men can also benefit from the phytoestrogens found in soy. It is believed that the testosterone level in men can be affected by the consumption in soy, lowering the occurrence of prostate cancer, the growth and spread of which is believed to be fueled by the male hormone testosterone. Also, research has shown that soy can increase the activity of low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol receptors. These are traps on the surface of cells that grab LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream and ship them off to the liver where the are excreted. By lowering the amount of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, it is less likely that it will be damaged and stick to artery walls, which leads to heart disease. In 38 studies analyzed by James W Anderson, MD, professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at the Veteran’s Administration Center at the University of Kentucky College in Lexington, he and his colleagues concluded that consuming 1 to 1-1/2 ounces of soy protein per day ,as opposed to animal protein lowered total cholesterol by 9% and lowered LDL cholesterol by 13%. Obviously, this type of reduction also lower the risk of heart disease , as every one percent reduction in cholesterol level lowers your risk of heart disease by 2 percent.
In addition to all of these disease fighting benefits, soy also has nutritional benefits. A half cup of tofu can provide 40% of your daily value DV of protein, 25% of your DV of calcium, and a whopping 87%-130% DV of iron. To get the most benefits from tofu, be sure to add them at the end of the cooking process. Overcooking soy can cause it to lose much of the phytoestrogen content. Also when buying soy, be sure to purchase soy that is not reduced fat. The full fat soy contains the highest amount of phytoestrogens . But don’t worry, the fat contained in soy is polyunsaturated, which is not as dangerous as other types of fat found in meats and many dairy foods.
July 6th, 2005
The lemon tree is one of the oldest cultivated fruit plants originated from India. Today, lemon trees grow in subtropical climates all over the world, especially in Florida and the Mediterranean. Though the fruit and its juice have a sour taste to it, lemon is actually a fantastic buffer in the body and can reduce hyperacidity in the stomach. Lemon juice and peels have an antiseptic effect and the leaves of the tree are used to reduce fever. In addition, lemons are rich in vitamin C which strengthens the immune system and acting as an antioxant, protects cells from radical damage.
Lemons as a therapeutic usage helps anti-inflammatory action. It helps the body cleanse itself by promoting perspiration and acting as a natural diuretic. Lemons also stimulate the appetitie, aids digestion, strengthens body defense system, relieves cramps and also dilates the blood vessels in the skin.
Lemons are known for useful remedies for gout, urine retention, athritis, vitamin C deficiency, inflammation of the mouth and throat, hoarseness, digestive disorders, asthma, nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations and helps the system with diseases of the stomach, liver and intestines.
Some uses for lemons:
*Infusions from lemon leaves,
*Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 3 tsp. of dried leaves and allow to steep for ten minutes. To reduce fever and relieve cramps, drink up to 2 cups per day.
*Sweetened with honey, this tea helps coughs and asthma.
*It is also a cure for insomnia. It promotes relaxation and deep sleep. Drink 1 cup before retiring at night.
Lemon Peels,
*Relief from joint and nerve pains
*The fragrant volatile oils found in the peel help relax blood vessels and produce an anti-inflammatory effect.
Grate the peel from one lemon, being careful to get only the yellow layer and none of the white pith underneath. Rub the grated peel into the affected body part and wrap with a bandage. (cotton prefer) Keep in place for one to two hours.
Lemon Juice,
*Soothing sunburns
Using cotton balls gently apply diluted lemon jice to sunburned skin. The juice acts as an astringent, relieving the pain.
Lemon Juice,
*Emergency Disinfectant
lemon juice can disinfect minor wounds or lesions in the mouth and throat. (such as cankor sores)
Apply diluted juice to affected areas or gargle several times a day.
The Lemon and the Juice,
*Alleviate sore throat and hoarseness
Squeeze one lemon and dilute the juice with 1 cup of hot water. Gargle three times a day with the juice.
Lemon Juice and Water,
*Stop a nosebleed
Dribble a small amount of diluted lemon juice on a cotton ball and dab it repeatedly onto the nasal mucous membrane. The lemon’s astringent effect draws the body tissues together.
Pick organic lemons if you can, mostly if you plan to use the peels. They should be bright and firm with a fine grained skin. A very course exterior may indicate a thick skin, which may mean less juicy flesh. Large lemons tend to be thick skinned. Size doesn,t mean more juice. A lemon that feels heavy for its smaller size usually means more juice which is what you are aiming for.
July 6th, 2005
Honey is a sweet treat. But it is also good for many other things. It is good at treating many conditions.
If you have allergies, honey can be beneficial. If you eat honey that is local to your area, it may prevent your seasonal allergies. Bees use the pollen from local plants and eventually it ends up in your honey.
Honey may also be effective in the treatment of your ulcers.
According to the national honey institute, honey may be beneficial to athletes by reducing fatigue. Honey is good source of glucose and fructose.
Honey is a good source of antioxidants. They play a big role in the prevention of cancer as well as heart disease.
Honey may also be good for your skin. It has the ability to attract water. You can use honey instead of alpha hydroxy masks because if its high content of the acid. It is also safe for sensitive skin.
You can also use it as a moisturizing mask for your skin as well as your hair. To use it as a conditioner, Mix the honey with olive oil. Be sure to wash your hair thoroughly before you go outside.
If you have a sore throat, take some honey. It may not heal your sore throat but it will make it feel better as it heals. The taste may also take your mind off the pain.
There is evidence that honey diluted in water will help with your stomachaches and dehydration.
July 6th, 2005
My husband was recently told that he is suffering from the beginning stages of stomach cancer. It was a huge shock and I spend hours researching the implications and trying to find if there was any remedy to the cancer.
We read that garlic (and onions) can reduce the risk of cancer, especially stomach cancer. We immediately incorporated garlic into our diets and found that there was a marked improvement in his health - we acknowledge that it could be the medication that he was given, but he had taken the same medication before, without any improvement in his health. We also noticed that our children, who were forever suffering from colds and influenza, were healthy and cough-free, even in the middle of winter. I was the only one suffering from any form of ill health - my migraine attacks had returned, after an absence of several years, with a vengeance.
With more research, I discovered that the daily use of garlic can prevent other illnesses, such as influenza and blocked arteries. I discovered the reason for my migraines - garlic can induce migraines in those who are susceptible to migraine attacks.
Stomach Cancer
Scientific studies in China suggest that garlic may neutralise cancer-causing chemicals and can reduce the risk of tumours. 16000 Chinese people were tested and the findings were that those people with the highest daily intake of garlic, were the ones least likely to suffer from cancer of the stomach.
According to scientists, herbalists and naturopaths, daily doses of garlic, and onions can:
*Lower blood pressure.
*Lower blood cholesterol.
*Act as a nasal decongestant - clearing catarrh
*Keep away colds
*Act as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent
*Clear up boils, because of the anti-bacterial properties
*Help clear up asthma
*Fight symptoms of arthritis
*Stop the formation of blood clots
Scientists have discovered that garlic is good for the heat by lowering blood pressure, suppressing cholesterol production in the liver, reducing harmful cholesterol and raising levels of lipoproteins in the blood. The component in garlic that helps prevent malignant tumours, is allyl disulphide.
The disadvantages of eating garlic are smelly breath, possible migraines and in some cases, when direct contact is made with garlic, the skin can become irritated, causing contact dermatitis. To combat bad breath, eat parsley.
The pungent odour that is released when a bulb is crushed, is due to the sulphur compounds in the garlic. Garlic is best eaten raw as many of the important healing components are destroyed when garlic is cooked. The recommended daily dosage is about 2 cloves per person, although with those suffering from heart conditions, the dosage needs to be increased to about 10 cloves a day! Alternatively, one can use ready-made garlic tablets, found at post natural health shops.
July 6th, 2005
Grapes change ordinary meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes to the extraordinary. Chilled, baked, roasted, or grilled grapes enhance all foods from appetizer to entrée, salad to side dish. Modify the regular mealtime with additional nutrition by serving grapes.
Leave off the syrup on pancake and top them with grapes. If you,re in a hurry, nibble on a bunch of grapes instead of a Danish or doughnut. Grapes are high in Vitamin C and they,re full of Vitamin A.
Are you trying to lose weight? Don,t starve yourself, snack on grapes to quench the hunger twinge.
Buy grapes that are organically grown. The red grapes contain a bioflavonoid known as quercetin. This works as an antioxidant and operates with Vitamin C to stimulate the immune system to fight infection, cancer, and inflammation.
The seeds in grapes contain a substance called pyenogenols. This substance has a high degree of antioxidant and fights arthritis, cardiovascular problems, stress, and allergies.
The resveratrol in grapes has been the aim of recent research. The University of Illinois says it slows down or stops the growth of tumors. Studies show it inhibits tumor growth at the initiation, promotion, and progression stages.
France’s Liver Research Study Group says resveratrol helps prevent liver cancer by blocking the invasion of tumor cells. Science laboratories report findings that it stops the development of an enzyme linked to breast cancer.
The University of Wisconsin’s research shows that flavonoids in purple grape juice prevent the thickening of the arteries that hinder the flow of blood to the heart. Research continues to study the properties of grapes in the nation’s fight against cancer and heart disease.
California leads the states in producing the fresh grape crop. New York is second in grape production followed by Washington, Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, Arkansas, and Missouri. After the harvest of grapes, they are made into juice, jelly, pie filling, raisins, stored for fresh-eating, and wine. (Many wineries are located through out the country)
Since Biblical times, grapes have been known for their high nutritional value and people use them in many forms for a healthy diet.
Therefore, you should eat grapes every day for your health and your medicine. What medication tastes as good as grapes?
July 6th, 2005
Thiamin comes in three forms, and it is alternately known as vitamin B1, thiamin hyrdochloride and thiamin mononitrate. Thiamin is integral to many of the activities of enzymes in the human body. It is necessary for the manufacture and utilization of carbohydrates in the system. Thiamin is also essential to proper heart and other muscle function. It is also essential for a healthy nervous system.
The dietary sources for thiamin are vast and varied. It is present in all unrefined foods. Excellent sources of dietary thiamin are pork, most meats, liver and kidneys. Fish is also a prime source, as well as beans and eggs. Almost all vegetables contain thiamin as do pasta and brown rice. Additionally whole grain and enriched cereal and bread products are a superior source of thiamin in the diet.
Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, thiamin deficiency does occur. Severe thiamin deficiency often occurs in individuals who have depression. Symptoms of deficiency may include fatigue, nausea, confusion, abdominal pain, headache beriberi. Beriberi is a condition which affects the nerves, brain and heart and its symptoms are as varied as tingling and burning in the legs to incoordination, mental disturbance, palpitation and even heart failure. Beriberi can also cause seizures, deterioration of the central nervous system and vomiting. Another disorder related to thiamin deficiency is Wernicke’s syndrome which will eventually result in severe memory loss, dementia, and even paralysis of the eye muscles.
Recommended intakes of thiamin vary, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between .5 to 25 milligrams daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.
July 6th, 2005
Zinc comes in several forms. It is known by the following names, zinc amino acid chelate, zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate and zinc chloride. Typically supplementation is in the form of zinc sulfate.
The dietary sources for zinc are typically among natural, unprocessed foods. Zinc is available in both plant and animal dietary sources. It is more readily absorbed from animal sources than plant sources. The best sources for this mineral are meat and other protein rich foods. Seafood is an excellent dietary source of zinc. Whole grain breads, cereals and dried beans are also fantastic sources of zinc.
Zinc’s primary function in the human body is to manufacture proteins and nucleic acids (what is known as the “general†material cells are made of). Zinc is also essential in the role of over 100 enzymatic functions in the human body. It is also intergral to a normal growth and developmental rate, as well as in the development of both male and female reproductive organs. Zinc is involved in the functioning of insulin in the body and in the utilization of carbohydrate stores. Zinc also assist in healing through aiding wounds and burns and has a part in the healthy functioning of the prostate gland.
Even though it is so important to proper functioning of the human organism, zinc deficiency does occur but typically only in the elderly and other such populations that tend to be malnoursihed. Severe zinc deficiency often causes poor growth and may contribute to delayed sexual development or dwarfism. A prolonged lack of zinc intake may lead to symptoms such as rash, inflamed areas of skin, hair loss, or pustules in the mouth, tongue and eyelids and even around fingernail beds.
Recommended intakes of zinc vary depending on severity of insufficiency, however the consensus among professionals seems to be between 30 to 50 milligrams daily. Of course, before starting any form of supplementation you should consult your health care practitioner.
July 6th, 2005
Magnesium supplementation may be indicated when a specific health problem or condition causes an excessive loss of magnesium or limits magnesium absorption.
* Some medicines may result in magnesium deficiency, including certain diuretics, antibiotics, and medications used to treat cancer (anti-neoplastic medication). Examples of these medications are:
o Diuretics: Lasix, Bumex, Edecrin, and hydrochlorothiazide
o Antibiotics: Gentamicin, Amphotericin, and Cyclosporin
o Anti-neoplastic medication: Cisplatin
* Individuals with poorly-controlled diabetes may benefit from magnesium supplements because of increased magnesium loss in urine associated with hyperglycemia.
* Magnesium supplementation may be indicated for persons with alcoholism. Low blood levels of magnesium occur in 30% to 60% of alcoholics, and in nearly 90% of patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Anyone who substitutes alcohol for food will usually have significantly lower magnesium intakes.
* Individuals with chronic malabsorptive problems such as Crohn’s disease, gluten sensitive enteropathy, regional enteritis, and intestinal surgery may lose magnesium through diarrhea and fat malabsorption. Individuals with these conditions may need supplemental magnesium.
* Individuals with chronically low blood levels of potassium and calcium may have an underlying problem with magnesium deficiency. Magnesium supplements may help correct the potassium and calcium deficiencies.
* Older adults are at increased risk for magnesium deficiency. The 1999-2000 and 1998-94 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys suggest that older adults have lower dietary intakes of magnesium than younger adults. In addition, magnesium absorption decreases and renal excretion of magnesium increases in older adults. Seniors are also more likely to be taking drugs that interact with magnesium. This combination of factors places older adults at risk for magnesium deficiency. It is very important for older adults to consume recommended amounts of dietary magnesium.
Doctors can evaluate magnesium status when above-mentioned medical problems occur, and determine the need for magnesium supplementation.
July 6th, 2005
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