Archive for Supplements

Whey Protein and Its Benefits

October 18, 2008 at 2:21 pm · Filed under Diet and Nutrition, Supplements, Weight Management and Fitness

Author: Dominick Ciccone

If you are working out on a consistent basis, you need to be consuming extra Protein; it’s as simple as that. Without the added protein intake your muscles will never recover to their full potential, and you won’t gain the strength you are striving for nearly as quickly. Protein is the building block for all of your muscles, hair and nails, and it is important to make sure you are getting enough of it.

Out of all the available Protein supplements on the market today, Whey Protein stands out as the clear winner. Whey Proteins are high quality and nutritious proteins derived from dairy products. They contain all of the essential amino acids required by the body each and every day, which promote muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth.

Whey Protein can do a number of amazing things. It increases lean muscle mass, aids in fat loss, enhances your immune function and it actually might help to prevent certain forms of cancer. Whey Protein also helps to stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into your blood stream, which results in a reduced feeling of hunger. Insulin levels also begin to lower when Whey Protein is consumed on a consistent basis which makes it easier for the body to burn fat. Looking at these benefits it is easy to see why Whey Protein can play such an integral role in your diet.

Implementing Whey Protein into your workout routine will help prevent overtraining, because your muscles will be getting the fuel they need to rebuild themselves after a long and hard work out session. It is recommended that you try and get 1 gram of Whey Protein, per pound of body weight. This is most efficiently achieved by spreading your protein intake over 4-6 small meals, and by eating healthy, protein rich foods in conjunction with Whey Protein supplements. You can usually get 20-23 grams of Protein from a single serving of your Whey Protein supplement.

There are many quality Whey Protein supplements on the market today, and many great deals can be found online. It’s a common rule of thumb that the more expensive the Whey Protein costs, the better it is going to taste and help you recover. Searching online for special sales and discounts will help you find high quality Whey Proteins for an affordable price. After all, you don’t want to be drinking something that you hate the taste of 7 days a week, do you? I usually look for Whey Protein in the price range of 40-50 dollars. This price range is usually associated with quality protein that tastes surprisingly good, and is very good for you in terms of calories and Protein grams per serving amounts.

People of all ages can enjoy the benefits of Whey Protein. The number of benefits it provides is amazing. It helps in sports nutrition, weight management, immune system functioning, bone health and most importantly, your general health. Hopefully this information has helped you realize that Whey Protein is the right choice for you!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/whey-protein-and-its-benefits-604375.html

About the Author:

Dominick Ciccone is software developer and an avid weight trainer who enjoys researching nutrition. He also writes for the site:

Thats’s The Whey Protein .

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Antioxidant Vitamins and Zinc Reduce Risk of Vision Loss from Age-Related Macular Degeneration

October 8, 2008 at 7:10 am · Filed under General Health, Supplements

(ARA) – Findings from a nationwide clinical trial reported that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss.

Scientists found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss, lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc. In the same high risk group — which includes people with intermediate AMD, or advanced AMD in one eye but not the other eye — the nutrients reduced the risk of vision loss caused by advanced AMD by about 19 percent. For those study participants who had either no AMD or early AMD, the nutrients did not provide an apparent benefit. The clinical trial — called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) — was sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health.

“This is an exciting discovery because, for people at high risk for developing advanced AMD, these nutrients are the first effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NEI. “AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans 65 years of age and older. Currently, treatment for advanced AMD is quite limited. These nutrients will delay the progression to advanced AMD in people who are at high risk — those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or those with advanced AMD in one eye already.

“The nutrients are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision already lost from the disease,” Dr. Sieving said. “But they will play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their vision.”

A common feature of AMD is the presence of drusen, yellow deposits under the retina. Often found in people over age 60, drusen can be seen by an eye care professional during an eye exam in which the pupils are dilated. Drusen by themselves do not usually cause vision loss, but an increase in their size or number increases a person’s risk of developing advanced AMD, which can cause serious vision loss.

Advanced AMD can cause serious vision loss. Scientists are unsure about how or why an increase in the size or number of drusen can sometimes lead to advanced AMD, which affects the sharp, central vision required for the “straight ahead” activities, such as reading, driving and recognizing faces of friends.

“Previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing AMD,” said Frederick Ferris, M.D., director of clinical research at the NEI and chairman of the AREDS. “However, the high levels of nutrients that were evaluated in the AREDS are very difficult to achieve from diet alone.

“Almost two-thirds of AREDS participants chose to take a daily multivitamin in addition to their assigned study treatment,” Dr. Ferris said. “The study also showed that, even with a daily multivitamin, people at high risk for developing advanced AMD can lower the risk of vision loss by adding a formulation with the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc used in the study.”

Dr. Ferris said some people with intermediate AMD may not wish to take large doses of antioxidant vitamins or zinc medical reasons. “For example, beta-carotene has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer among smokers,” he said. “These people may want to discuss with their primary care doctor the best combination of nutrients for them. With the use of the high levels of zinc, it is important to add appropriate amounts of copper to the diet to prevent copper deficiency.”

The AREDS participants reported few side effects from the treatments. About 7.5 percent of participants assigned to the zinc treatments — compared with five percent who did not have zinc in their assigned treatment — had urinary tract problems that required hospitalization. Participants in the two groups that took zinc also reported anemia at a slightly higher rate; however, testing of all patients for this disorder showed no difference among treatment groups. Yellowing of the skin, a well-known side effect of large doses of beta-carotene, was reported slightly more often by participants taking antioxidants.

“The AREDS formula is the first demonstrated treatment for people at high risk for developing advanced AMD,” Feris said. “Slowing the progression of AMD to its advanced stage will save the vision of many who would otherwise have had serious vision impairment.”

Courtesy of ARA Content
 
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, contact Michael Coogan, NEI Information Office, (301) 496-5248, mjc@nei.nih.gov.

VNR and ANR available in English and Spanish by calling 301-496-5248. Photos and other materials available in downloadable, camera-ready format on the NEI website at http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd

The National Eye Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health and is the Federal government’s lead agency for vision research. NEI-supported research leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. The NIH is an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

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Anti-Oxidants Galore!

October 8, 2008 at 7:09 am · Filed under Diet and Nutrition, Supplements

  by Dr. John Maher

Natural sources of antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E and beta carotene, are some of your best defenses against coronary-pulmonary aging. Choose from these foods when eating at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables, better yet 9 servings:

Vitamin C: red pepper, brussels sprouts, papaya, orange, chestnuts, butternut squash, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, kale, pink grapefruit, sweet potato, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. {The latter 3 also help the liver detoxify poisons and “bad” estrogens (16-hydroxyestrone) that promote breast, colon, cervical and prostate cancer.}

Vitamin E: almonds, spinach, parsnips, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, asparagus, sweet potato, wheat germ, brussels sprouts, peanuts, pecans.

Beta carotene: carrot, butternut squash, cantaloupe, sweet potato, kale, watercress, apricot, red pepper, turnip greens, mango.

A good rule of thumb: eat from the fruit and vegetable “color palette” each day and include red, green, orange, and yellow.

By the way, eating lots of anti-oxidants keeps your lungs strong. The proof? According to a 3/14/98 article in the FASEB Journal, people who ate the most antioxidants were able to exhale almost 1/2 cup more air in 1 second than people who ate much less. The ability to inhale and exhale volumes of air is called “Vital Capacity” and is perhaps the best physical exam indicator of life expectancy!**

And need I remind you that lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer? AND 18% of VICTIMS NEVER SMOKED!

So eat your 9 servings of a rainbow variety of fruits, seeds, nuts and vegetables. Then take a professional quality multi-vitamin/mineral with at least 1000mg Vit C, 100 IU Vit E, and 15,000 units of mixed carotenoids (not just beta-carotene), and 200mcg of selenium. As iron is a pro-oxidant, it should not be included usually except in the anemic, childrens formulas and for menstrating or pregnant females*.

Pregnant females and those desiring or even “at risk” for pregnancy should limit Vit A supplementation to less than 5,000 units a day.

About the Author:

Dr John H Maher Ed., “Longevity News”
“Your Prescription for Wellness”
More Details at: http://www.RxforWellness.com

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About Aloe

October 4, 2008 at 10:52 pm · Filed under Aloe, Health Concerns, Supplements

Aloe, native to Africa, is also known as “lily of the desert”, the “plant of immortality”, and the “medicine plant”. The name was derived from the Arabic alloeh meaning “bitter” because of the bitter liquid found in the leaves. In 1500 B.C. Egyptians recorded use of the herbal plant in treating burns, infections and parasites.There are over 500 species of aloe growing in climates worldwide. Ancient Greeks, Arabs and Spaniards have used the plant throughout the millennia. African hunters still rub the gel on their bodies to reduce perspiration and their scent.

Extensive research since the 1930’s has shown that the clear gel has a dramatic ability to heal wounds, ulcers and burns by putting a protective coating on the affected areas and speeding up the healing rate.

The plant is about 96% water. The rest of it contains active ingredients including essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoproteins. Modern healers have used it since the 1930’s. Many liquid health treatments are made, some combining aloe juice with other plants and herbs. The juice is soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers.

As a food supplement, aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.

Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent overacidity – a common cause of indigestion. It helps cleanse the digestive tract by exerting a soothing, balancing effect.

A newly discovered compound in aloe, acemannan, is currently being studied for its ability to strengthen the bodies natural resistance. Studies have shown acemannan to boost T-lymphocyte cells that aid the immune system.

Those wise to the ways of aloe healing keep this plant in the kitchen. When the leaf is broken, its gel is placed on burns to relieve pain and prevent blisters. Aloe may reduce inflammation, decrease swelling and redness, and accelerate wound healing.

Aloe can aid in keeping the skin supple, and has been used in the control of acne and eczema. It can relieve itching due to insect bites and allergies. Aloe’s healing power come from increasing the availability of oxygen to the skin, and by increasing the synthesis and strength of tissue.

Part Used: Aloe vera “extract” is made by pulverizing the whole leaves of the plant. Aloe juice is made from the inner leaf.

Common Use: Aloe supplements can be used for peptic ulcers and for gastro-intestinal health. Aloe has a moisturizing effect on the skin and is a common remedy for sunburn and skin irritation. Often used direct form the flowerpot in the treatment of minor burns and wounds. To make a salve; remove the thin outer skin and process the leaves in a blender, add 500 units of vitamin C powder to each cup and store in refrigerator.

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Vitamin C is a Year-Round Supplement

September 20, 2008 at 3:45 pm · Filed under Supplements

Four reasons to use it every day

(ARA) – December through March are not the only months that vitamin C supplements should be part of your daily routine. With all the vitamin C research that is popping up, it is more evident than ever that vitamin C benefits go beyond cold and flu season.

According to Dr. Phil Brown, Ester-C product manager at Inter-Cal Nutraceuticals, “Vitamin C is a year-round necessity. It’s a nutrient that does much more than simply maintain health by preventing scurvy or supporting the immune system. In fact, new research and clinical studies have validated the importance of vitamin C in many diverse and important biological functions.”

Brown gives four important reasons for incorporating vitamin C supplements into your daily routine:

1. Joint and Bone Health

Vitamin C is very important for the formation and maintenance of collagen, the “glue” that provides strength to bones, cartilage, teeth, tendons and ligaments, as well as support for vascular and skin health. Recent studies have shown that vitamin C positively affects bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Many health care experts feel that judicious vitamin C supplementation can benefit overall joint and bone health.

2. Vision Health

Vitamin C is important for the maintenance of good vision. Proper dietary levels of vitamin C may slow the formation of cataracts and minimize the effects of age-related macular degeneration. A recent study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health concluded that 500 milligrams of vitamin C, in addition to the other vitamins and zinc supplements, were most effective against lowering the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

3. Heart Health

Numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the importance of high levels of vitamin C in maintaining vascular integrity, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and even the functioning of the heart itself. Dietary antioxidants, including vitamin C, are overwhelmingly recommended to support cardiovascular health.

4. Immune System Health

Vitamin C is an antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals, which can break down the immune system. Free radicals are unstable molecules formed during normal cellular activity that damage cells, mutate genes, weaken organ systems, increase the risk of certain forms of cancer, cause skin wrinkles and even accelerate aging. Our lives are full of factors that multiply free radicals — stress, smoke, pollution, fried food and excessive sunlight. Because free radicals don’t take a break during the spring and summer, vitamin C supplements should be a part of your year-round health regimen to maintain a healthy immune system.
Supplements are a convenient way to provide consistent amounts of specific nutrients and can help make up the difference between amounts available from food and the levels for optimal health and well-being. There are currently recommended daily intake (RDI) levels for all nutrients, including vitamin C. “However, many studies have shown the positive effects of vitamin C used at levels well above the RDI (currently 90mg per day),” said Brown. “Extensive evidence indicates that consumption of vitamin C is safe because it does not accumulate in the body like fat soluble vitamins.”

“Unfortunately, common vitamin C is very acidic and may upset the stomach when taken at levels higher than the RDI. Ester-C is an efficiently absorbed, non-acidic form of vitamin C and high levels of it may be ingested without worrying about an upset stomach,” said Brown.

Ester-C Mineral Ascorbate is an ingredient in human supplements, functional foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. It is available through natural product stores, food, drug and discount chains, catalogues and the Internet. For more information on vitamin C and Ester-C, visit www.esterc.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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