Thursday, November 7, 2013

Who Are At Risk of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Vitamin B12, being one of the B complex vitamins, is necessary in the metabolic functions of the body and the conversion of food to energy. However, B12 is also necessary in the replication of DNA, formation of new and health red blood cells, and maintaining a healthy nervous system. In fact, B12 deficiency is associated with various conditions and diseases, such as fatigue, irritability, pernicious anemia, and neurodegenerative diseases. These can prevent you from performing your daily activities properly and negatively affect your quality of life. Moreover, neurodegenerative diseases are described by CDC as rapidly progressive and always fatal. B12 deficiency is something that you should not take for granted as its symptoms may not appear for years. So, who are at risk of B12 deficiency?
The elderly are more likely to develop Vitamin B12 deficiency, and this is generally because they are more likely to develop atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis is an inflammation and thinning of the lining of the stomach, and it is usually associated with the bacterium Helicobactor pylori. The inflammation caused by the bacterium reduces the capability of the stomach to produce acid, which leads to malabsorption of the vitamin. Around 10 percent to 30 percent of individuals who are 60 years of age and older experience atrophic gastritis. In addition, according to CDC, the frail elderly are at risk of developing deficiency of the vitamin because of malnutrition caused by certain factors, such as cognitive dysfunction, social isolation, mobility limitations, and poverty.
People taking certain medications such as metformin, PPIs (proton-pump inhibitors) and other acid-suppressing drugs are also at risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency. Metformin is usually taken by people with diabetes, while PPIs are usually taken by people with stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Vegans are also at risk of having Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is primarily because the main sources of the vitamin are animal foods, such as beef liver, shellfish, poultry, and milk. There is a notion that vegans can get the vitamin from plant sources like seaweed and fermented soy. Indeed, these plant foods contain the vitamin, but they actually also contain B12 analogs called cobamides, which block the intake of the vitamin.
If you belong to either of these groups of people or even if you are not, it is important to get evaluated for Vitamin B12 deficiency. While your diet may contain the vitamin, you should also consider taking a Vitamin B12 dietary supplement as certain conditions can prevent your body from absorbing the right amounts of the vitamin it needs to stay healthy.
Get more tips on how to stay healthy and improve your quality of life at Choice Nutrition Supplements.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8026102

Coenzyme Q10 and Cardiovascular Health: How Are They Related?

In 1957, Fred Crane discovered a substance in the mitochondria of a beef liver - the Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10. Also called the powerhouses of cells, the mitochondria create energy for the cells. And, for this to happen, CoQ10 is required. Since the substance is essential for energy production among cells, it can be found in every cell of the body. However, higher levels of the substance can be found in organs that are highly active, and one of these organs is the heart. For the heart to function properly, it needs a lot of energy, so it needs high levels of the substance. For this, CoQ10 and cardiovascular health are associated with each other.
Several decades after CoQ10 was discovered, so many studies have proven its importance in people's health, especially their cardiovascular health. One of the most recent CoQ10 studies that have made an impact on cardiovascular health is "The effect of coenzyme Q10 on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure" or Q-SYMBIO. The study, led by Svend Aage Mortensen, was presented at the Heart Failure 2013 meeting in Lisbon, Portugal. The results of the study showed that CoQ10 improves heart mortality among patients with moderate to severe heart failure. In the study, which involved 420 patients from different countries, each patient is either given CoQ10 supplementation or placebo. The results showed that there was a decrease in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who received CoQ10 supplementation: 14% or 29 patients in the group that received the supplementation compared to 25% or 55 patients in the group that received placebo.
Why is this study so important? It is because heart failure patients usually take statins, which are found to cause CoQ10 deficiency. Deficiency of the substance means there is not enough energy that the heart requires to function properly.
Another cardiovascular health issue that is associated with the substance is heart damage caused by chemotherapy. Several studies found that the substance may help prevent damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. In addition, one study found that introducing the substance before heart surgery may reduce damage caused by free radicals and strengthen heart function.
Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 is indeed an indispensable substance in maintaining a person's cardiovascular health. Natural sources of the substance include meat, fish, and vegetable oils. CoQ10 for cardiovascular health supplements are also available, and they should help supply the right levels of CoQ10 the body needs to function properly.
Get more tips on how to enhance your health and improve your quality of life at Choice Nutrition Supplements.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8022137

Velvet Deer Antler: Performance Breakthrough or Hype?

We have all seen Velvet Deer Antler in the news recently. Articles claim illegal performance enhancement and how professional sports should ban the substance. With all of this dust up I wanted to take a moment and investigate it's origins and relay my findings.
History:
From research, it has been used for years in ancient Asian medicine. As the story goes, the velvet that surrounds a newly budding deer antler is full of 1GF 1, insulin like growth factor 1. As deers grow their new antlers, this velvety covering naturally falls off. Once off of the deer, the velvet can be processed to extract the IGF 1 and other nutritional qualities.
This process and product has been used by Asian cultures for over ten thousand years to treat sexual dysfunction. Through current research the additional benefits of testosterone increases, nine growth factor increases, joint building through cartilage components and a full amino acid profile make it a very attractive supplement for athletes of all levels.
Today, it is humanely removed from deers one week before they would naturally discard it. Researchers have pin pointed this as the most potent time from the active ingredients contained. The process is completed in New Zealand which is the largest supplier of deer antler products to the world. It should also be noted that Asian countries such as China are still the leading importer of the substance.
Controversy Time Line:
June 2011 - Velvet Deer Antler came under fire when St. Louis Ram's linebacker, David Vobora sued SWATs laboratories after he claimed the batch they sold him contained banned substance methyl testosterone. Other professional sports were quick to ban the substance based on this allegation.
November 2012 - Nutronics Labs and SWATS Edge Performance sue the Major League Baseball Players Association for banning the substance as a steroid without testing it.
January 2013 - Ray Lewis denies use of Velvet Deer Antler to aid his injury recovery leading into the super bowl.
March 2013 - Vijay Singh sued the PGA for exposing him to "public humiliation" due to their probe into his deer antler use.
March 2013 - World Anti Doping Agency removes velvet deer antler from the "Banned List"
My Take:
I am a proponent of any natural substance that can help increase performance. Naysayers will claim that their is not any clinical proof of the benefits provided from velvet deer antler, but that can be said about many natural supplements that people swear by. When taking a hard look I cannot discard the fact that it is continuously used by millions of people throughout the world and it has been for years. I have also come across many athletes who swear by the effects including Russian Olympians. So I would say give it a shot.
Word of Caution:
All Velvet Deer Antler is not created equal. Potency is judged by nanograms. Products that are less than 10,000 nanograms OR do not have a nanogram rating are not worth purchasing.
Matt Ryncarz is the founder of Fusion IONZ and he has become an expert in the field of negative ions and health and fitness. Fusion IONZ products have been double blind, placebo based tested to increase human performance by over 30%, reduce pain by 28% and produced an average of 2,000 negative ions more per second than any other negative ion accessory. The full clinical trial can be found on their web site. He is also the co host of the weekly health radio show Fusion Power Hour: Real Health Talk on The Arena Sports Network.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8017739

Points to Remember While Buying Herbal Supplements

As with anything you buy, quality and purity are two things you should never compromise on while venturing out to buy herbal supplements. There are several other points to remember before you buy these products. Let us take a brief look at them here.
Quality is of utmost importance in the case of herbal supplements since there are many risks associated with them if you opt for self-medication. Sometimes, they may aggravate your illness rather than curing it. Hence, you should consult your family physician or a registered medical practitioner before consuming any herbal product.
Check the ingredients in these products carefully. Some ingredients may be allergic or harmful for your body. Never be lured by the tall claims of the seller or the manufacturer. At the same time, remember that what works for another person need not necessarily prove to be effective for you.
Determine if they are approved by the government. The preparations should be tested and okayed by an authorized agency. Ensure that the products bear the seal of approval, which indicates that they are prepared under standardized conditions and use only ingredients that are safe.
At no point of time should they cause any sort of addiction to you. If you are tempted to take more of these products than the usual course, then you should suspect that they comprise elements that are addictive in nature.
Sometimes, these herbal products turn out to be just duplicates of drugs that are sold in the market. In the worst-case scenario, they may lead to unpredicted complications either due to over dosage or ineffective proportions of herbs.
Check the label to detect if there is any additive or filler used in the preparation of the product. These are of no use to your body and only contribute towards making the medicines look fuller and bigger.
In case you are already on prescription medication, you should consult a reliable GP and clarify if you can take herbal supplements. Self-medication is dangerous since it may affect an already-ailing system in your body.
In your quest to bargain for lower prices, never make the mistake of buying cheap products. Cheap ones might not be always the best. Do not stop with merely checking and buying at the first sight but make sure you double check and do a lot of research about the product.
By doing so, you can ensure that your money is well spent on buying products that are safe and effective in helping you reach your health-related goals seamlessly.
It is not a wise decision to buy a product without doing a deep research about it for example wartrol side effects. Before you buy wartrol, it is necessary to know about its side effects like skin and eye irritation, a high level of toxic effect, etc.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8018961

Benefits of Slimming Down Through Herbal Supplements

No one likes to visualize themselves with those sagging features and dull-looking skin. For that matter, even a paunch that is just too big to manage is never a pleasant experience for any person. So, how to overcome all these?
There are basically two categories of solutions to tackle problems related to overweight, namely, natural herbs and man-made medicines like diet pills. It is entirely up to you to choose a method that you think is suitable for your body and weight loss goals.
Let us try to highlight the major benefits that herbal supplements offer.
• Firstly, these products are safe to use when they are approved by the government.
• They are tested and proved for their positive effects without compelling you to forgo your favorite foods.
• These herbs act varied; some help in suppressing appetite while some prevent the collection of excessive fat in the body.
• They can be used in a variety of forms like jams, juices or soups. Thus, you can make sure that you include them in a variety of dishes to avoid monotony in your diet regimen.
• The simple reason why they are effective is due to the fact that they contain compounds like HCA that burns fat and in turn helps in controlling weight gain.
• There are few risks associated with these supplements since they are derived from the various parts of herbs like leaves, stems or fruits and flowers. There is hardly any need to add artificial elements or chemicals as in the case of diet pills.
• In addition, there is no need to use these items for a long period of time. You will begin to witness positive, encouraging results in a matter of a few weeks itself.
Apart from these benefits, you can rest assured to:
a. Enjoy a pleasant state of mind since your mood is enhanced by these herbal supplements.
b. Keep your appetite under control to avoid any kind of cravings or a tendency to overeat.
c. Prevent collection of unwanted fat deposits in your body since you will be feeling fuller even while you are actually eating less.
d. Save money since most of these supplements are offered at affordable rates.
e. Get near-to-perfect results with negligible side effects.
All said and done, you will need to be careful to buy these herbal supplements only from well-known dealers and stores. Double check that they are original products, approved by the government.
If you are on the lookout for reliable and safe products to overcome obesity, then you can try Garcinia Cambogia for weight loss. But questions still remain whether Garcinia Cambogia does work to cure obesity or not.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8018923

Why You Should Take Raspberry Ketone Liquid Drops Instead Of Its Pill Counterparts

Raspberry ketone is a metabolite compound naturally found in red raspberries. It is a popular term in the world of natural health supplements because of its weight loss value. As a weight loss supplement, it usually comes in liquid drops or pills. You may ask what difference it would make if you take raspberry ketone liquid drops or raspberry ketone pills. Well, the answer has something to do with how fast the compound is absorbed by the body.
The liquid form of raspberry ketone drops is absorbed by the body around three times faster than its pill counterparts. And, this means that around 85 percent to 90 percent of the compound is absorbed by the body. On the other hand, only 10 percent to 20 percent of the compound is absorbed by the body if taken in pill form. This is based on page 1542 of the Physician's Desk Reference, which is considered as the bible of health care professionals. It says that in general, the nutrients of liquid drops are absorbed by the body in 22 to 30 seconds. Because of this, most of the nutrients found in a liquid drops are absorbed by the body. Pills, on the other hand, usually contain fillers and binders, and this makes it hard for the body to digest the nutrients quickly.
So, if you are looking for a raspberry ketone supplement, and you are torn between buying the liquid form or the pill form, then look at what you should buy this way: Raspberry ketone, in general, helps your body burn fat faster because it increases the level of adiponectin in your body. How much of the compound is going to be absorbed by your body? That should help you decide which form you should consider buying. The higher the level of the compound in your body is, the higher the level of adiponectin in your body becomes. And, needless to say, the liquid form wins in this case.
What you should take note of when using raspberry ketone liquid drops is that its shelf life is shorter than its pill counterparts. Pills have longer shelf life, so many people still prefer them. However, for a supplement that you take daily, shelf life should not be a problem. Just do not forget to close the bottle of liquid drops properly and refrigerate it after you open and use it. With the help of recent technological advancements, though, steps are being taken to make the shelf life of liquid drops longer.
Get more tips on how to lose weight naturally and quickly and how to improve your quality of life at Choice Nutrition Supplements.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8015743

Proven Benefits of the Raspberry Ketones

Weight loss has grown to be one of the most sought after processes in many parts of the world. Raspberry ketones are popular in achieving weight loss and as a result, the consumption of these products is becoming a growing trend. Administering two supplements a day can help a great deal in losing weight, feeling better and getting a healthy, radiant glow that many people are looking for. The raspberry ketone is an effective metabolite compound present in red raspberries, which often gives the raspberries its sweet odor. Perfume makers and cosmetic companies to give their products a fruity smell have used the product. By administering this supplement, you not only get to lose weight, but also get to feel happier and healthier. If you are considering an effective weight loss program, consider purchasing raspberry ketone supplements.
The benefits
The supplements do not cost much. Therefore, they are within the reach of most people. When you start administering the product, you stand to see some improvements in the state of your body. Considering the supplements contain natural fruit extract- Red Raspberries, African Mango, Resveratrol and Acai Berry, the supplement helps a great deal in trimming down weight while enhancing metabolism. In addition, the product has powerful antioxidants that help a great deal in making a person to feel happier, younger and truly healthier, as well as a radiant glow.
Unlike other types of dietary supplements, this product is certainly safe and works fast. According to research findings, consuming the product helps the body to have a better metabolic rate. There will also be a reduction in the build-up of fat in the body. When you consume the product, you do not have to worry about looking stick thin, instead it will make you look healthy. The product contains chemical Noriphenipherine, also referred to as Nor-Adrenaline that helps a great deal in burning fat present in the body. The combination of Nor-Adrenaline and ketones make the Raspberry Ketones that contributes to weight loss.
Apart from helping an individual to lose weight, the product has anti-aging properties. This is made possible by the presence of natural extracts including Kelp, Resveratrol, Acai Berry, African Mango and Red Raspberries- among other products. The product has anti-oxidants that help to give a younger looking and healthy glow. Therefore, the product is recommended for providing result in a harmless and effective way. The product has no known side effects for pregnant women and lactating mothers. However, to adhere to the doctor's advice to steer clear of supplements, you may consider stopping the product to safeguard the health of the baby.
Supporting evidence
An experiment was conducted on mice. They were given raspberry ketones together with a high fat diet. The results of the experiment showed the mice had gained less body fat than they would have otherwise gained by consuming a high fat diet. There have also been studies done on human beings and the outcome has been the same. It was discovered that raspberry ketone is an effective weight loss supplement.
The Japans have for many years taken raspberry ketone supplements as a diet pill. One cannot help but wonder whether this is the secret, the nation has many thin people. In America, ketones have been used mainly in the food, perfume and cosmetic industries. Furthermore, many people have shunned the supplement because they consider it expensive. Manufacturers need about $20,000 for every kilogram.
The manufactures require approximately 90 pounds of raspberries to produce a daily dose of this supplement. Therefore, it is not possible to eat enough raspberries daily to achieve the desired weight loss. Instead, it is a more feasible option to take the raspberry ketones supplements.
We provide the best info about Raspberry Ketones. For further details please visit the provided link.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8018491