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Healthy Nutrition

Facts on Vitamin C – What Are the Side Effects of Vitamin C Overdose?

Vitamin C is one of the powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Deficiency of Vitamin C is known to cause scurvy. The commonly advised dosages are between 20 to 60mg daily in order to prevent scurvy. According Linus Pauling who won Nobel Prize twice, Vitamin C if taken in large numbers far exceeding the daily minimum advised dosage would produce and increased feeling of well being and can ward of many diseases including the common cold.
Vitamin C has properties far more beneficial than preventing scurvy and to get complete benefits it has to be taken in far higher quantities. Dr.Pauling has concluded that normal Vitamin C intake among adults should be in the range of 2500 mg to 9000 mg. In fact such a large dosage was taken by our ancestors long ago. Their diet was mainly fruits and vegetables with highest concentration of Vitamin C. There is normally no side effects with taking larger doses up to 10,000 mg per day only beyond this dosage there could be minor side effects like stomach upset. Our modern day diet consists of processed, fast and packaged food which has been stripped of all the nutrients. So we have to ensure that we get ample amount of this vital nutrient through supplements or fruits that are rich in this nutrient.
Many researchers have confirmed the not only common cold but a wide range of diseases can be effectively prevented by Vitamin C. This made the scientists wonder the real cause of these diseases and for accelerated aging. It was later learned that it was the oxidation process of the cells and tissues in the body that caused these ailments and premature aging. It is now established that Vitamin C is a substance that prevents oxidation (i.e.) it is an antioxidant.…

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Nutrition

Vitamin Supplements – Why We Need Them & How They Can Help Improve Our Quality of Life

It is very easy to become confused about what is a healthy diet when there are so many opinions on what we should be eating, in what quantities and when. The same goes for vitamin supplements – are they good for you or not? Do we need to take them? If so, which ones and in what quantity?
In a perfect world we would all eat a healthy balanced diet. We would eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drink loads of water and eat very little saturated fats. Processed meals would disappear and we would all go back to home cooking.
But we don’t live in an ideal world. Real life often gets in the way. Most of us don’t grow our own fruit and vegetables so if we do eat “fresh” produce from the supermarket, just how fresh is it? The vitamin content in fruit etc starts to decline from the moment it is harvested. By the time it gets to our fruit bowls, the vitamin content has dramatically reduced.
So what can we do? If you live near farms, you should be buying local produce. If you are based in a city, you should eat frozen fruit and vegetables as their vitamin content should be higher. We should eat as wide a range of produce as possible. Think of all different colors when shopping and planning meals. Eat plenty of brightly colored vegetables. Aim to introduce a different type of vegetable to your menu every week.
Meat is a great source of vitamins and minerals but buy better quality in lower quantities. A small piece of steak is much better for you than a large portion of bacon or sausage. If you can afford to, chose organic as it won’t contain antibiotics and other chemical agents.
We have all heard the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Have you ever wondered why? Some varieties of apples are anti carcinogenic, anti inflammatory and anti viral. An apple is a good source of vitamin C although some people say that you could just take a vitamin supplement. But there are other chemicals in apples that appear to work with the natural vitamin C to make the overall effect much stronger.
There are some people that should take a good quality vitamin supplement. The obvious would be pregnant women or those trying to conceive who need additional folic acid. Vegans and vegetarians may struggle to get sufficient vitamin B from their diet so a supplement may be in order. People who are stuck indoors due to ill-health or those who wear all encompassing black robes for religious reasons may suffer a lack of vitamin D which comes from natural sunlight. A vitamin D tablet may help these people.
If you have been ill or been through a very stressful situation such as death or divorce, your doctor may recommend a course of vitamins to give your system a kick start back to health.
In summary, the road to good health is not necessarily a vitamin supplement but for those people who are not eating a completely balanced diet, a good quality vitamin supplement can help to fill in the gaps.…

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Health Tips

Vitamin D, The Amazing Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D has been a hot topic in the news recently. The research keeps pouring in on just how important vitamin D is for your health. Research studies also show that vitamin D offers a multitude of important benefits including healthy heart function, immune and bone health, but surprisingly, up to 80% of Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is produced in your body from cholesterol, and it influences your entire body, from cells in your brain to your bones. Science has now realized that vitamin D does more than just aid in the bone formation and the absorption of calcium, it is also involved in regulating your immune system, repairing cells, and more. Along with exercising and eating healthy, make sure your vitamin D level is at its optimal level. This step is so simple, but one that stands to make a huge difference in your health.

Why do most Americans have low levels of Vitamin D? The answer is lack of sun exposure. Vitamin D is considered the sunshine vitamin because it is produced when sunlight touches your skin. Research has shown that if you get very little sun exposure, you use sunscreen when you are exposed to the sun (for a short period of time), are elderly, or have a dark skin complexion, you may need more. Just 15 minutes of sun exposure a day can boost your vitamin D levels in the body and benefit your health.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D? According to experts in nutrition, we may not be getting enough and it is still being debated as to what this amount should be. The conventional RDAs are as follows:

400 IU for infants, children and adolescents

200 IU for adults up to age 50

400 IU for adults aged 51 to 70

600 IU for seniors over 70

These numbers are the bare bones minimum from what is actually needed for optimal health. Many experts now agree you need about 35 IU’s of vitamin D per pound of body weight, which may actually be 3 to 4 times the amount than we are currently getting.

The level of vitamin D supplementation you may need depends on many factors including time of year, where you live, how much sun exposure you get each day, sunscreen use, your age, your skin color, how often you eat fish or vitamin D fortified foods, if you are overweight, and how often you exercise. Modifying your diet is also a good way to get some additional vitamin D. Some fish like Salmon and tuna, as well as cod liver oil are among the best sources of vitamin D.

To play it safe, it is best to supplement your diet with a daily multi-vitamin supplement with plenty of vitamin D3 specifically, as it is the easiest to absorb. Look for one with at least a minimum of 800 IU of vitamin D per serving.…

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Health Policy

Chin Acne – Vitamin A For Treatment

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs in teenagers and adults alike. Acne is caused by clogged pores, and can happen in any parts of the body. Acne that develops on the chin is called chin acne.
Chin acne is often regarded as an embarrassing problem that must be gotten rid of. Today, many different treatments are available to cure acne on the chin. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications are most common, but there are also other forms of natural treatments as well. It is believed that to cure acne, the best way is through holistic approaches.
One of the methods regarded as safe and natural to cure acne is by consuming vitamin A, which is necessary for the body to heal the skin. It is also a good support against colds and flu. When consumed in the right dose, vitamin A can cure the most severe acne conditions.
There are several foods that contain a good dose of vitamin A. Some fruits like mangoes, sweet potatoes, watermelon and peaches are excellent sources of vitamin A, as well as vegetables such as carrots, green-leafy vegetables and also animal livers and fish oil. To help cure chin acne, it is advised to include these foods in your daily diet.
Another alternative source for vitamin A is a drug known as retinoid. This type of drug has been used to cure acne, but consuming the drug may cause unwanted side effects in patients. Dryness, lip inflammation and even depression are several harmful side effects that may happen to patients taking retinoid, so the consumption of retinoid should be under the close monitoring of a medical expert. Pregnant women should also avoid taking retinoid, as it may cause birth defects. Breastfeeding women should avoid this drug as well.…

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Good Health

Vitamin Benefits

Vitamins are one of the most important things you can do for your health. A vitamin supplement will maintain calcium balance, boost immunity, provide blood pressure regulation and more. Something that can provide you with a wide range of respected benefits and can aid in:
Heart Disease
Heart Attack
Stroke
Weak, Brittle Bones
Cancers
Body Inflammation
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint Pains
Back Aches
Headaches
Vitamin D can provide all these benefits, and almost everything in your body depends on it. Over 70% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D and this deficiency is a major crisis in the USA. Vitamin D not only supports the absorption of calcium in building strong bones and teeth but provides prevention of bone loss, prevents muscle weakness, and post menopausal osteoporosis. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that improves bone strength and density, and is a natural immune support. It is not always practical to get Vitamin D through your diet or the sun, even though your skin makes it when exposed to sunlight. An overdose of Vitamin D can be dangerous so talk to your health care provider before increasing your daily input.
We would like to offer Vitamin D3, the “sunshine” vitamin. This vitamin has been known for its help with bone development, strength and many other health issues. Supplementing your daily diet with this vitamin is an easy way to get your daily allowance. Visit us and discover more about this “do everything” vitamin and the other Health Care products we have to offer.…

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Health Facts

Hair Vitamin Supplements – 5 Keys to Picking the Right One

The dietary food supplement industry has simply exploded in recent years. You can literally buy vitamins for just about anything, and hair care is no different. There are literally hundreds of different hair vitamins that address every conceivable hair concern. And while there’s no question you can gain all sorts of benefits from using a natural hair supplement, which one is the best for you? Here are a few points to consider when looking:
What do you need a vitamin for?
You want to be careful and find a product that addresses your primary hair concern. For example, if you’re dealing with hereditary pattern hair loss, a vitamin formulated for fast hair growth, would not be the best choice. This is because hair loss vitamins typically contain some kind of anti-DHT nutrient, while a vitamin for faster growing hair probably loads up on protein to feed and energize the hair.
Reviews
Check to see if the product you’re considering has a lot of recent, positive feedback from other users. People love to share their good experiences, so a vitamin with minimal or no positive testimonials or reviews probably isn’t the best to try. It’s ideal to make sure any reviews posted are fairly recent, any reputable company will be glad to show off positive feedback from users. Plus checking out user reviews from 3rd party retailers like Amazon can help validate any claims a product makes.
Ingredients
Regardless of the specific concern a hair vitamin addresses, any good one is going to contain a few key ingredients. This is simply because all hair has very similar nutrition needs to be healthy. The three (3) primary things to look for are Niacin, Biotin, and Amino Acids (or proteins). Amino Acids in particular are vital. After all, your hair is actually made of a specialized amino called keratin. So avoid any hair vitamin supplement with very little protein (4mg – or less).
Hair Type
Hair type is good to consider because some vitamins for hair may contain ingredients that can help certain hair types more than others. For instance, if you have very dry hair with excessive breakage, a supplement that contains moisturizing essential oils will offer more benefit to you than one that doesn’t.
Shampoo / Conditioner
What? But we’re talking about hair vitamins! OK, so it’s true that your hair is going to get a lot more benefit from what you eat then what you rub on your head. However, if a vitamin supplement has a shampoo or conditioner specially designed to go along with it, you can possibly multiply the benefits by promoting healthy hair from inside the body and outside!…

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Nutrition

Vitamin D For Greater Health

Vitamin D is extremely important for a healthy body. It regulates the levels of calcium in the bloodstream, and assists in the absorption of calcium into the bones. It has even been found to help with the immune system by promoting the function of the cells that kill infections in the body.
Strong bones are an obvious necessity. Not only do they protect the vital organs against impacts, they make moving around possible. One might counter this statement by pointing out that a beak is the only bone an octopus has, but this is an invalid argument: an octopus can only get about because he is underwater. Out of water, nothing can accomplish anything unless it has a rigid frame to rely upon.
The calcium levels in the bloodstream have a somewhat less obvious value. This has largely to do with keeping calcium levels within a safe limit. However, it also provides an immediate supply for supporting killer-T cells and their cousins who target various pathogens in the body. Vitamin D has been found to increase the production of natural antibiotics produced by the body to fight infection.
Vitamin D has also been tied to a reduction in the risks of heart disease and all around mortality. Some of the more generic methods of death may only be connected co-incidentally, but the fact of health support can make that connection less obvious but no less certain. Having poor health in one area, while not itself a deadly problem, can leave one less able to deal with life threatening dangers in other areas.…