The Truth About Supplements

December 22, 2011 by  
Filed under weight loss

The Truth About Supplements
A Must Read For All Supplement Users, This Is The Supplement Bible Of The Modern Day, Author Has Massive Credibility. Upon Purchase You Get A Free 75 Min Audio Valued At Free. For More Info Go To Http://www.thetruthaboutsupplements.com
The Truth About Supplements

Mission Full Body Power
Videokurs Plus E-book Eines Intensiven Ganzk
Mission Full Body Power

3 Protein Supplements Explained

June 21, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

3 Protein Supplements Explained

In my previous articles I discussed the various protein sources available. Many food groups can provide you with a rich and tasty source of protein. However, protein supplements are a quick and convenient way to effectively supplement your diet with additional protein. In this article I discuss in greater detail the various types of protein supplements available and how to effectively complement your diet with these products.


Now as I mentioned above, there are multiple food groups which can provide you with adequate levels of protein. So the first question you are probably asking is why should you use protein supplements if you can get sufficient protein from your diet? Well to be perfectly honest, protein supplements are not for everyone. For many people dietary sources of protein are perfectly adequate.


Protein supplements are very useful for individuals who are participating in a muscle building program. This is because weight training places an additional burden on your muscles so they require extra protein to repair and grow back stronger. Studies have also suggested that protein can help boost your metabolism and suppress your appetite making protein a good supplemnt for weight loss too. It is possible to consume this extra protein in your diet but protein supplements are often a quicker, more convenient source.


Now that you understand the usefulness of protein supplements you are probably wondering what types of protein supplement are available? Protein supplements come in a number of different forms which include bars, powders, drinks, shakes and more. There are also multiple different types of protein supplement and I have outlined the major types below:


1) WHEY PROTEIN:- This is the most popular type of protein supplement because it can be absorbed very quickly after working out. It is also considered to be the most efficient because it has the highest biological value of all proteins and therefore promotes the greatest lean muscle gains. The main drawback with whey protein is that it is only active for a short time after consumption.


2) MISCELLAR CASEIN:- This protein is comparatively rich compared with whey and it takes your body a lot longer to absorb. It is useful to consume casein just before you go to bed or on days where you are not doing any weight training because it is a slow release protein and so provides your muscles with an extended protein supply.


3) EGG AND SOY PROTEIN:- As the name suggests, these protein supplements consist mostly of natural ingredients. They are not as rich as casein supplements but they are easier to digest. Egg and soy protein also have a number of unique benefits compared with whey protein and soy protein in particular is one of the most important aspects of a vegetarian’s diet.


I hope this article has opened your eyes to the various protein supplements available. Whilst not neccessary for everyone, they can be a quick, useful and convenient source of rapid or slow release protein (depending upon the type) which fulfill a number of goals including muscle gain, muscle toning and weight loss. If you are currently taking part in any kind of physical fitness training I highly recommend you read this article again and think about whether you should consider protein supplements.

The Free Fitness Tips Squidoo Lens provides you with an extensive collection of fitness resources including; videos, articles, top tips and product reviews. To find out more please visit the Free Fitness Tips squidoo lens

Find More Protein Articles

Protein Supplements – A Guide To Choosing The Right Product

June 18, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

Protein Supplements – A Guide To Choosing The Right Product

Protein supplements are of great importance to anyone who is training with the intention of building muscle or increasing athletic performance. Protein, or more importantly the amino acids that it supplies to the body, are fundamental in maintaining and building lean muscle tissue (protein synthesis).


Protein is present in many foods such as eggs, meat, poultry and fish in abundant amounts and these foods should be incorporated into any healthy diet. The nutritional requirements of someone who trains with weights for athletic gain are higher than that of the average sedentary person though, so to meet these requirements its not always possible and/or practical to get the necessary amount of protein from regular foods alone.


This is where protein supplements become truly valuable. Not only are they super convenient – there are protein powders, bars, puddings and cereals now – but they are generally engineered to such a high standard that they surpass regular foods in nutritional profile and in bioavailability/ease of absorption.


Of all the different protein supplements available, each type has their own advantages/disadvantages:


Whey Protein


Whey protein is a by-product of the cheese manufacturing process. The clear liquid whey is drained off from the cheese and dried into a powder. On the biological value scale, whey is rated at 159 in isolate form and 104 in concentrate form. The next closest to this is egg whites (88). Because of this high bioavailability, whey protein is the supplement of choice for most bodybuilders and athletes. Most whey protein supplements come in a 5lb container and are predominantly whey protein concentrate often with some whey protein isolate mixed in. Whey concentrate is essentially the ‘entry-level’ of whey protein.


Typically it has 60-75% protein content with the remainder made up of carbohydrates (usually as lactose – which many people have problems digesting) and small amounts of fat. Whey concentrate supplements and whey blends are generally the best selling version of whey protein due to the lower cost (typically 32-40 GBP for a good 5lb tub). Best selling products in this category include Optimum 100% Whey Protein, Reflex Instant Whey and Dymatize Elite Whey.


Whey Protein Isolate


Whey protein isolate is the next step up from whey concentrate. The powder is further refined to remove excess lactose and produce a cleaner, better absorbed and virtually lactose free protein supplement with typical protein contents of 85% upwards at an average price of around 25 GBP for a 2lb tub.


Whey Protein Hydrolysates


The most refined protein currently available is whey protein hydrolysates, also known as hydrolyzed whey isolate. This kind of protein powder undergoes manufacturing processes which produce a pre-digested partially hydrolyzed product that takes very little digestion and is absorbed by the body extremely quickly with barely any fats or carbs. Possibly the most well known and best selling supplement of this type is AST VP2, which retails in the UK at between 28-35 GBP for a 2lb tub.


Casein/Micellar Casein


Whey is not the only by-product of cheese manufacture. More abundant in fact is casein. Casein is possibly the second most popular protein source after whey. What makes casein a popular choice is that it is the opposite to whey protein in terms of absorption rates. Whilst fast absorption is generally more favoured than slow at most times, some people argue that whey is digested too fast for optimal results as a between-meal snack or before bed.


Casein on the other hand takes far longer to digest, which may make it a great choice for before bed as it could sustain the flow of amino acids to the muscles for much longer during sleep. Of particular interest is micellar casein, which is thought to form a gel in the gut resulting in a particularly slow, sustained release of amino acids into the bloodstream.


Two of the most popular supplements containing predominantly casein are Pro Peptide by CNP and Muscle Milk by Cytosport. Whilst whey protein is thought to have the most profound effect on protein synthesis (muscle building), casein is widely considered the best protein source for preventing muscle catabolism (breakdown of muscle tissue caused by dieting or over-training).


Protein Blends


Some feel that the best of both worlds of protein supplementation comes in the form of a blend/mix of both fast digesting and slow digesting proteins, which they argue creates a time-released effect, with the various protein sources being used at their own rates of absorptions.


Others counter-claim that a blended protein will all absorb at the rate of its slowest digesting protein source, but as yet no research has conclusively proved which school of thought is correct. Popular South African supplement manufacturer USN use a protein blend, USN Pure Protein, as their flagship protein supplement.


Meal Replacements


Meal replacements are a mix of proteins (often whey or whey with casein) and carbohydrates (usually maltodextrin or barley and oats), often with added ingredients such as digestive enzymes and vitamin/mineral blends added in. They are designed to either replace a meal or act as an extra meal for those looking to gain muscle size.


They are engineered to provide an ideal ratio of protein, carbs, fats and nutrients. Many MRPs (meal replacement powders), like Met-Rx, come in boxes of pre-measured sachets – making them ultra convenient for taking to the office or to the gym. You can also get them in standard tubs – e.g. USN Muscle Fuel.


Protein Bars, Snacks, Puddings, etc..


The protein supplement market is ever expanding with new and unique ways of getting your protein intake frequently coming onto the market. Protein bars are almost as widely available now as their powdered counterparts and many taste as good as most candy bars.


In the past few years several companies such as Instone, CNP and PVL have made protein puddings – delicious high protein desserts that are either ready to eat out of a can or powders that are mixed into a pudding consistency. Even more recent developments have been high protein breakfast cereals and ‘single-shot’ liquid whey protein in tubes.


All-in-One Products


The final type of protein supplement is the all-in-one muscle building product. The pioneer of this range was Maximuscle Cyclone – a mix of high quality whey protein, dextrose, creatine, glutamine, HMB and several other muscle building ingredients. Whilst all of these ingredients can be bought seperately, these all-in-one bodybuilding supplements eliminates the need to buy multiple products and allows you to get all the nutrients you want in one convenient protein shake.

Shaun Parker has been at the forefront of Protein Supplements such as Maximuscle Cyclone for several years. For more information visit http://www.bodyshapersfitness.com

The Truth About Supplements.

June 17, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

Check out these protein products:

The Truth About Supplements.
A Must Read For All Supplement Users, This Is The Supplement Bible Of The Modern Day, Author Has Massive Credibility. Upon Purchase You Get A Free 75 Min Audio Valued At Free. For More Info Go To Http://www.thetruthaboutsupplements.com.
The Truth About Supplements.

How To Breed Rabbits For Meat, Profit And Fun.
Much More Than Putting Two Rabbits In A Cage! Solid PPC Profits. Great Animal Breeding Book, Loaded With Value, Tight Niche, Great For This Economy. Affiliate Support Page, And 75% Commissions.
How To Breed Rabbits For Meat, Profit And Fun.

The Quinoa Super Diet.
The Quinoa Super Diet Is A Healthy Great Tasting Way To Melt Fat Off And Not Use Sugar. This Small Grain Is Powering The Next Health Food, Grain Based, Diet Explosion As It Was Named As A ‘super Food’ By The United Nations.
The Quinoa Super Diet.

Importance of Vitamin Supplements

June 16, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

Importance of Vitamin Supplements

Human need vitamins and he get it from their food which they eat regularly. Vitamins are mixture of chemical which we get in small amount from our daily diet. If we any vitamin in our body then we have suffer from the deficiency disease. Vitamins which we take through food, some are fat- soluble and other is water-soluble. The ability to dissolve vitamins in body temperature with other substance can well manage by a human body.

Here are some fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K. They are found in foods which contain fats and oil.

Vitamin A: – Vitamin A can be obtained by eating dairy products, liver oils, green vegetables etc. They help in growth and development of cells. Its deficiency causes skin problem.

Vitamin D: – Vitamin D can be obtained by eating dairy product, fish, eggs, sunlight etc. It helps in growth and development of your teeth and bones. Its deficiency causes teeth and bones related problems.

Vitamin E: – Vitamin E can be obtained by eating green leaves, dairy product, wheat oil etc. It acts as antioxidant in our body. Its deficiency may harm your nervous system and you also have genetic problem.

Vitamin K: – Vitamin K can be obtained by eating green vegetables, sprouts, milk etc.

A part of body’s vitamin K can be obtained by bacteria which are living in intestine and it also play main role in blood clotting. Its deficiency may affect your new born child and also lack of Vitamin K can’t stop your blood if you are injured.

Now water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and B. They are soluble in water. But can’t be store in human body and it removes by way of urine.

Vitamin C: – Vitamin C can be obtained by eating green vegetables, critic foods etc. Its deficiency causes scurvy. Signs of scurvy are laziness, feeling pain in muscle, joints and legs.

Vitamin B: – Vitamin B can be obtained by eating dairy products, green vegetables, eggs etc. Its deficiency affects skin, problem in brain, spinal cords and also nerves.

Here is a list of Vitamin B Complex:

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
Vitamin B3 or Niacin
Vitamin B4 or adenine
Vitamin B5 or Pantethine
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxamine
Vitamin B7 or Biotin known as Vitamin H
Vitamin B8 or Myo-inositol
Vitamin B9 or Folic acid
Vitamin B10 or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Vitamin B11 or Pteryl-hepta-glutamic acid
Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin
Vitamin B13 or Orotic acid
Vitamin B14 or Earl R. Norris
Vitamin B15 or Pangamic acid
Vitamin B16 or Dimethylglycine
Vitamin B17 or Amygdalin
Vitamin B18
Vitamin B19
Vitamin B20 or Carnitine
Vitamin B21
Vitamin B22 or Aloe Vera
Vitamin Bh or Biotin
Vitamin Bm or Inositol
Vitamin Bp or Choline
Vitamin Bt or L-Carnitine
Vitamin Bv
Vitamin Bw
Vitamin Bx
Lipoic Acid

Regular intake of Vitamins Make your body healthier and perfect. So take vitamin in proper amount to decrease the deficiency of Vitamin in your body. It makes your body free from diseases and your body health good.

bodyhealthbeauty.org is a great resourceful website of getting useful information on Vitamins, articles are written by Bella Mclaine – a freelance journalist who specialize in writing for quality websites.

12 Sources of Natural Vitamin Supplements

June 16, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

12 Sources of Natural Vitamin Supplements

Taking vitamins has long been considered as a prerequisite to good health. In fact, health experts are in agreement, that these organic molecules are needed to be taken by the human body in minute quantities, to ensure proper health. According to these experts, a person deprived of a particular vitamin would eventually exhibit disease symptoms particular to the said vitamin.

The importance of vitamins for good health is a fact well known to everybody. Even children at the primary school level are well aware of this because they are being educated on the importance of vitamins for their body. But while everybody knows how important vitamins are, not everybody knows where to get them. In fact, many believe that the only source of vitamins is the medicine bottle.

Vitamins, however, are not limited to those that are sold on drug stores as food supplements. In fact, vitamins do exist naturally. To give more light on this topic, it may be better if we give you first a background on the basic types of vitamins available today.

The Basic Types of Vitamins Available in the Market

There are three general types of vitamins being sold in the market today. These three types are the natural vitamins, crystalline vitamins, and synthetic vitamins.

• Natural Vitamins

Natural vitamins are those vitamins that can readily be found in natural foods. If processed into a commercial food supplement, the vitamin must have all of its components intact, including its enzymes, co-enzymes, minerals, mineral activators, and co-vitamin helpers.

• Crystalline Vitamins

Crystalline vitamins are those vitamins that are extracted from natural food sources but were already treated with various high-powered chemicals, solvents, heat and distillations to separate the specific vitamin from all other synergistic components attached to it. As such, these vitamins have a very simple structure compared to the complex structure of natural vitamins.

• Synthetic Vitamins

Synthetic vitamins are those vitamins that were chemically formed in laboratories by scientists. While they are not derived from any natural source, the structure of these vitamins would usually resemble that of their crystalline counterparts.

As you can see, vitamins are not limited to those found on drug stores and medicine bottles. In this article, we’ll concentrate on those vitamins that can be found on natural food sources—the natural vitamin supplements.

Natural Vitamin Supplements

According to studies, our body needs 13 vitamins for proper bodily functions. These vitamins are composed of the vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins. The B vitamins, on the other hand, are composed of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate.

Now, all these vitamins are available in drug stores in various concentrations. However, all of these 13 vitamins can also be found on natural food sources. In fact, a person having a variety of foods in his diet must already be taking minute amounts of these vitamins everyday. And as have previously been said, only a minute amount of all these vitamins are needed by the body to function properly.

So if you are interested on keeping your health at its prime, then you can bank on the natural vitamins that nature has to offer. Here is a list of the food sources from which you can extract natural vitamin supplements:

1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A can be found from meat sources and dairy products like milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, and cod liver. But since all of these are high cholesterol products, you may want to try getting vitamin A from its precursor, beta-carotene. Common sources of beta carotene are raw carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cantaloupe, spinach, mango, broccoli and other red- or yellow-skinned fruits and vegetables.

2. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Common sources of thiamine are fortified breads, cereals, pasta, whole grains, lean meats, fish, peas and dried beans. Some dairy products, fruits and vegetables are also rich in vitamin B1.

3. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Dairy products like milk and yogurt are the primary sources of riboflavin. Other sources are chicken meat, green and leafy vegetables, fruits and almonds.

4. Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Food products that are rich in niacin include dairy products, poultry, fish, lean meats, nuts and eggs. Some legumes and cereals also contain traces of niacin.

5. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Vitamin B5 rich foods would include, fish, dairy products, poultry, lean beef, yeast and vegetables in the cabbage family. Also rich in vitamin B5 are white and sweet potatoes as well as peanuts and peas.

6. Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine)

Fruits like bananas, watermelons and tomatoes are known sources of vitamin B6. Other common sources are chicken, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, white rice, peanuts, oats and fortified cereals.

7. Vitamin B12

Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish and dairy products comprise the rich sources for vitamin B12.

8. Folate

Green and leafy vegetables are the largest source of folates, although this vitamin can also be found on tomato juice, peas, wheat germ, oranges and mushrooms.

9. Vitamin C

The most common sources of vitamin C are the citrus fruits and their juices like strawberry, melon, cranberry, grapefruit and others. Most other fruits and vegetables also contain small amounts of vitamin C.

10. Vitamin D

The largest sources of vitamin D are dairy products, poultry, and cereals. Aside from these food sources, the body also synthesizes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the heat of the sun.

11. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is mostly derived from plant oils and products made from it, like margarine and mayonnaise. Other sources include peanuts, whole grains, wheat germ, corn, nuts, olives, spinach and other green and leafy vegetables.

12. Vitamin K

Leafy and green vegetables like cabbage and spinach are the primary source of Vitamin K. Other sources include soybeans, cereals, fruits, beets, potatoes, dairy products, meat products and poultry. Bacteria found in the stomach and in the intestines can also synthesize vitamin K.

Ben Adams is the author of: ‘Vitamin Supplements Health Boosting Secrets’ an informative guide on how to naturally improve your health. Claim your free 5-part ‘Vitamin and Supplement tips’ course here: Free Vitamin Supplement Course

Find More Vitamins Articles

Vitamin Supplements – Do They Work?

June 15, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

Vitamin Supplements – Do They Work?

Vitamin Supplementation is huge worldwide. Most of us take vitamins now or have taken vitamins in the past. The US ranks top in dietary supplementation globally. 18.9% of Americans had taken at least one dietary supplement in 2004. Over 100 million Americans use vitamin and mineral supplements everyday. The global market has become a multi-billion dollar industry and the dietary supplement sector is growing the fastest.

The most common reason for supplement use is “to improve overall health and general well being.” It is a popular belief that vitamins are antioxidants and can therefore protect us from oxidative stress that causes many health conditions.

The most common supplements taken are:
multivitamin/multiminerals – 22%;
multivitamins plus vitamin C – 15%;
vitamin C as a single vitamin – 13%;
herbal and botanical supplements – 7%;
vitamin E as a single vitamin – 6%.

Over the years, more and more reports on the health benefits of vitamin supplements have emerged, ranging from cardiovascular benefits to cancer prevention. This is mainly due to the antioxidant properties of vitamins that can protect us from oxidative stress. As a result several studies have been conducted to confirm these reports. Some of the latest studies summarized below reveal surprising results to say the least.

One of the very first studies to comprehensively investigate the health effects of vitamin supplements was conducted by Danish researchers in 2007. They performed a meta-analysis on data pooled from several clinical trials which used supplementation of the antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium used as stand-alone or as combination supplements to treat a wide range of health conditions, from cardiovascular disorders to cancer. Their results were a surprising, even troubling. For one, no benefits of these “antioxidant supplements” were found. Second, supplementation with vitamins A and E and beta-carotene (but not vitamin C and selenium) actually increased overall mortality. This study prompted other researchers to take a second look at the benefits of vitamin supplements.

In a more recent review paper, the same researchers performed another meta-analysis of more data from several clinical trials, this time involving over 200,000 people who are healthy as well as those with existing health conditions. The researchers only considered studies which compared the efficacy of antioxidant supplements against placebos in the primary and secondary prevention of different medical conditions. The authors reported that they “found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E may increase mortality.”

Another meta-analysis investigated the anti-cancer properties of antioxidant supplements, particularly against gastrointestinal cancers. They looked at data of trials which studied beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and E and selenium. The authors concluded that “we could not find convincing evidence that antioxidant supplements prevent gastrointestinal cancers.”

One of the most recent developments in vitamin supplement research is the long-term SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) study of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The study evaluated the efficacy of selenium and Vitamin E in preventing prostate cancer and enrolled 35,000 male participants in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The participants were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: group 1 were given vitamin E supplements only, group 2 were given only selenium, group 3 took both supplements in combination, and group 4 were given placebos only. Five years into the study, the NCI decided to stop the trial because of some “concerning” findings, namely:

1. The analysis found no lower risk of prostate cancer in men taking the supplements, either alone or together.

2. Men who were taking only vitamin E actually had a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

3. Men taking only selenium seemed to have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes.

Another study evaluated the efficacy of combined folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in reducing cancer risk among women. Their result show that combined folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 treatment had no significant effect on overall risk of total invasive cancer or breast cancer among women during the folic acid fortification era.

A study published in December 2008 evaluated whether vitamins C and E and beta carotene supplementation have an effect on overall cancer risk. The data was taken from the Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study and involved 8,171 women who were cancer-free at the start of the study about 9.4 years ago. The findings of the study showed that “supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta carotene offers no overall benefits in the primary prevention of total cancer incidence or cancer mortality.”

The Women’s Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Trial evaluated the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplements on blood pressure and risk for hypertension risk of 36,252 healthy postmenopausal women. The women were assigned in 2 groups: one group received a daily supplement of 1000 mg of calcium plus 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily. The other group received placebo only. The researchers reported that “in postmenopausal women, calcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation did not reduce either blood pressure or the risk of developing hypertension over 7 years of follow-up.”

The Physicians’ Health Study II evaluated whether vitamin E or vitamin C have cardioprotective properties that can reduce risk for CVD in men. A total of 14,641 American doctors were enrolled in the study, aged 50 years and older, and were followed up for 8 years. The study results showed that “neither vitamin E nor vitamin C supplementation reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events. These data provide no support for the use of these supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and older men.”

This study evaluated whether antioxidant (vitamins E, C and/or beta-carotene) supplements can prevent atherosclerosis. The researchers performed a meta-analysis of 22 trials which involved 134,590 participants. The researcher conclude that “…the majority of studies included in this review does not support a possible role of antioxidant supplementation in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease … no definite conclusion can be drawn to justify the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements for the prevention of atherosclerotic events.”

Folic acid is routinely prescribed for pregnant women to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida. It has also been thought that folic acid, which reduced the levels of homocysteine in the blood, can prevent cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine is an amino acid used as biomarker for cardiovascular disorder. This trial investigated whether a vitamin combination pill with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 (vs. a placebo) can reduce cardiovascular risk. It enrolled more than 5,400 American women with a history of cardiovascular disease or with moderate to high risk profile for ccardiovascular disease. After 7.3 years of treatment and follow-up, a combination pill of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 did not reduce a combined end point of total cardiovascular events among high-risk women, despite significant homocysteine lowering.

While most of the evidence from studies summarized here does not seem to support the health benefits of vitamin supplements, there are some studies which indicate that vitamin D supplementation is worthwhile, even essential. Vitamin D is unique because we cannot get our vitamin D requirements from food alone. Instead, vitamin D is synthesized by the body upon exposure of the skin to the sun, thus earning it the title “sun vitamin.” However, since the sun is said to cause skin cancer, people tend to avoid exposure leading to widespread vitamin D deficiency.

American health experts are convinced of the necessity of vitamin D supplements and thus, routinely prescribe vitamin D supplements even for newborn babies. Milk and other dairy products in the US are fortified with vitamin D but not in many parts of the world. Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidelines for vitamin D supplementation to recommend the doubling of the dose for babies and children from 200 IU to 400 IU per day.

According to a review paper, “vitamin D is not only important for calcium metabolism and maintenance of bone health throughout life, but also plays an important role in reducing risk of many chronic diseases including type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, deadly cancers, heart disease and infectious diseases.”

In summary, antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables have been shown to have extensive health benefits. Unfortunately, except for vitamin D, the use of vitamin and mineral supplementation does not seem to reproduce the protective effect of natural food stuffs, as shown by many different studies summarized here. Worse, some studies even suggest that vitamin supplementation can actually increase risk for certain health conditions and mortalities. Most of the studies cited were long-term randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving thousands of participants. The data they presented are therefore, highly reliable.

The antioxidant supplement pill fits in quite nicely in this era of convenience food and lifestyle on the go. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like a real healthy lifestyle and convenience can go hand in hand. The take home message is, when it comes to nutrition, there is no substitute for natural food stuff. Nature is still the best source of our nutritional needs.

The article Vitamin Supplements – Do They Work? may be found in its entirety with references and links on http://HealthWorldNet.com .

Prenatal Vitamins Versus Over-the-counter Drugs: Which Works …

June 15, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

If you are planning to conceive or are already on the family way, taking prenatal vitamins is a must. Prenatal vitamins provide important.

More here:
Prenatal Vitamins Versus Over-the-counter Drugs: Which Works …

Health and Fitness Supplements Fat Loss | Health Insurance Care …

June 9, 2010 by  
Filed under health-fitness

This article is the result of an extensive research that has gone into the minutest detail about Health and fitness supplements fat loss available today.

See the original post: 
Health and Fitness Supplements Fat Loss | Health Insurance Care …

Supplements And Vitamins Adhd Treatment – The Benefits Of …

June 3, 2010 by  
Filed under vitamins

If you are parent of an ADHD child or you have ADHD yourself it is likely that you have already tried a number of ADHD therapies. Medications may.

View post: 
Supplements And Vitamins Adhd Treatment – The Benefits Of …

Next Page »

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes