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How To Choose The Best Multivitamins For Optimal Health

November 26th, 2009

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Even if you eat a balanced diet and exercise, you can get extra benefits by adding a quality multivitamin to your daily diet.

You see, good food like fruits, vegetables and lean meat just doesn’t contain the amounts of nutrients they once did.

Even before these foods reach your table, poor farming methods, which involves heavy use of chemicals, have robbed the soil of the vital nutrients that the plants need.

If the soil quality is poor, the food we grow will be devoid of the nutrients we need.

We only make matters worse by the time the food gets to our homes. The way we cook food seriously takes away from its nutritional value.

Therefore, consuming a good daily multivitamin is a great way to get more of the nutrients we need. Such a supplement can help strengthen our immune system, promote healthy eyes, hair and skin.

It can also provide antioxidants that fight free radical damage – a major cause of premature aging and illness.

However, finding the best multivitamins is easier said than done. With an abundance of such products on the market, it can be difficult to know whether you are choosing a one of great quality.

So, here is the criteria for choosing the best multivitamins which will ultimately prevent you from wasting money on worthless supplements:

1. They should contain natural and whole food-based, not additives and synthetic nutrients. The closer the nutrients in a supplement is to food, the better the body will absorb it.

The problem with many cheap formulation is that they are made up of synthetic material. Your body doesn’t recognize it as food and hence just pass it out as waste.

2. Should contain harmonious amount of vitamins and minerals. Many multivitamins have many vitamins in them but very few minerals, which is not good.

Probably worse is that other supplements go the opposite way. They contain too large an amount of certain nutrients which is also not good because it can lead to toxicity within the body.

3. Should be made by companies or doctors with a good reputation. The processing of the supplements should also be done under the highest quality control.

4. Should contain nutrients above the recommended daily allowance (RDA). The RDA is just a guide of the minimum amount of nutrients people should be getting on a daily basis.

You’ll find inferior brands only offering the RDA to consumers. But the best multi vitamins tend to give you more nutrients than just the minimum recommendation.

You’ll find that if you follow the above-mentioned advice, you’ll be eliminating the majority of vitamins sold in drugstores or in stores like Walmart.

Why? – because many of those products are poorly formulated which is probably why they are so cheap.

Did you know that the vast majority of vitamins in America are produced by only two companies. This is why these supplements are so similar from store to store.

If you want to get into the health business, just approach one of these companies and put your name on the label. The label would be the only thing that will distinguish your product from someonelse’s.

If you are serious about your health, you’ve got to seek out well-formulated multivitamins that will actually do your body some good. And such a product my friend, usually won’t be found in a drugstore.

For the best insurance against illness and premature aging take the best multivitamin

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-choose-the-best-multivitamins-for-optimal-health-1509505.html

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3 Easy Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy

September 30th, 2009

There are plenty of articles out there about what to do to make your skin look young again. But what if you still have it? How do young women keep their skin looking the way it is now well into the future? The following five easy tips can help you keep your youthful glow.

1. Use Sunscreen, Never Tan. It’s hard for young women to resist the warm glow that a few hours of tanning can bring. But the damage that it does beneath the surface accumulates over time–ultimately leaving the skin dull and thin. By the time premature aging becomes evident, significant amounts of damage has taken place below the surface. Rather than a week of beauty, think of long-term beauty. If you really want to give your skin an added glow, try shimmering lotions and makeups. Or, for a darker look, try artificial tanners (but be careful, they can sometimes leave you looking more orange than tan). Don’t forget that you can experience the damaging effects of the sun even if you aren’t deliberately trying to tan. Make applying sunscreen part of your daily routine. Purchasing moisturizers with sunscreen already in them can help. Remember, only 15 minutes of sun exposure each day provides you with the vitamin D you need to stay healthy.

2. Eat the Right Foods. You’ve always heard the phrase “You are what you eat” and that is exactly right when talking about your skin! What you eat is not just relevant to your weight. It also affects the health of your skin. Clinical studies have shown that eating diets rich in fatty acids and antioxidants can help skin retain its youthful appearance. Foods good for your skin include fish, vegetables, whole grains and fruits including all kinds of berries. Antioxidants in the diet may help reduce the appearance of age spots. Fatty acids are one of the components of metabolic processes within the body that are also integral to the maintenance of healthy skin. Making these foods a part of your daily diet can benefit you for years to come.

3. Clean and Moisturize! Don’t neglect your skin. For normal skin, a gentle daily cleanser is all you need. Using a washcloth needlessly pulls and tears at the skin. Cleanse your skin with your fingers using gentle, circular motions, paying particular attention not to stretch the delicate eye area. Moisturizing the skin is also important to protect it from the effects of the elements including wind, pollution, and sun (if it is a sunscreen moisturizure). Not only does it protect the skin from the outside, but also helps it to retain its natural moisture from the inside. Keep in mind that spending a lot of money is not necessary. If your skin is oily or you have a problem with acne, use products designed specifically for your skin type. You may want to consult a dermatologist to seek prescription treatments. Never attempt to pop your pimples. This will increase the size of your pores and possibly cause scaring.

Essentially, if your skin is young, value it! Taking simple precautionary steps can help keep it that way. Think of the benefits of having healthy skin in the future. Use sunscreen, eat healthy, and following a daily skin regimine. You don’t need alot of money to keep your skin healthy. All it takes is common sense and good lifestyles choices.

R.Gitcher is a leader in article publishing with over 60,000 articles to his name he is a great publisher he writes on 75 topis view the topics www.articlepad.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/3-easy-tips-to-keep-your-skin-healthy-1288272.html

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The Health and Beauty Benefits Provided by the Superfruits

September 11th, 2009

It used to be that fruits were simply refreshing natural foods picked from trees. These days even fruits can gain superstar status and become the object of media attention. Names like mangosteen, noni, and goji berry used to sound so alien but have now become familiar. These fruits are made into revitalizing drinks, energy bars and even nouveau cuisine.

You may be wondering just what it is about these exotic fruits that all of a sudden made them the talk of the town. Now collectively called “superfruits”, they are all part of a select family of fruits known for being rich in nutrients and producing powerful antioxidant effects. Loaded with phytonutrients, these fruits provide health benefits that set them apart from other fruits.

Phytonutrients are naturally occurring compounds found in plant foods. They give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors and they have potent antioxidant properties that support the immune system thereby boosting the body’s natural ability to fight disease. These plant compounds also work to neutralize free radicals which are unstable compounds that cause premature aging and disease by damaging healthy cells in the body.

Below is a list of five of the most popular superfruits which includes a brief description of each as well as the benefits they offer.

Açaí: This is the fruit of a tropical palm tree that grows in the Amazon rainforest. It is celebrated for being rich in antioxidants, fiber, protein, fatty acids, and Vitamin E. It has been used by the natives to promote healthy cholesterol levels, boost immunity, prevent disease, increase energy, and reduce inflammation.

Goji: The Goji berry comes from the Himalayan region near China, India and Tibet. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for nearly 2,000 years to lower stress levels, increase metabolism and strengthen the immune system. Goji berries contain Vitamin C, nutrients, amino acids, polysaccharides (complex carbohydratesFirst discovered in the Himalayan region around China, Tibet and India, they are packed with Vitamin C, fiber, nutrients, amino acids, antioxidants and beneficial polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) and antioxidants.

Mangosteen: Another fruit rich in antioxidants, the mangosteen comes from a tropical evergreen tree. It originates from the Malay Archipelago northwest of Australia. The mangosteen is called the “Queen of Fruits” by its fans and has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes such as to support healthy cholesterol levels, boost immunity, increase energy, and promote digestive and urinary tract health.

Noni: This fruit comes from a small shrub-like tree. It originated in the South Pacific Islands and is now found in India, French Polynesia, Tahiti and parts of the West Indies. This fruit is packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino aicds. The noni fruit has been used in traditional medicine to prevent disease, enhance metabolism, support the digestive and circulatory system and strengthen the immune system.

Pomegranate: The fruit of a small shrub found all over the Himalayan region, the pomegranate is loaded with vitamin C, potassium, folic acid and polyphenols which are rich in antioxidants. It has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to promote digestive and cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and prevent disease. The pomegranate is considered a sacred fruit by the Greeks and Egyptians and it is referred to several times in the Bible and many Asian texts. The pomegranate has been used traditionally to reduce inflammation, promote digestive and cardiovascular health and prevent disease.

(ArticlesBase ID #1222781)

Charles Volcolatte is a health and weight loss researcher for www.skinnyASAP.com. He writes and researches actively on Dieting Information and shares his knowledge at www.skinnyASAP.com where he works as a staff writer.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-health-and-beauty-benefits-provided-by-the-superfruits-1222781.html

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L-Glutathione: How GSH and GSSG Detoxify the Liver and Improve Health

April 30th, 2009

The tripeptide L-glutathione is synthesized in the body from L. glutamic acid, L-cysteine and glycine, a reaction that can occur in any cell of the body although it is essential that it also occurs in the liver. Should glutathione concentrations drop, they can be increased by supplementing with cysteine or any other of the three amino acids that are used in the biosynthesis of this important if substance

The tripeptide exists in two forms: the reduced form (GSH) which contains a sulfhydryl (SH) functional group attached to the cysteinyl part of the molecule, and the oxidized form glutathione disulfide (GSSG). As electrons are lost from the reduced form, two molecules combine to create a dimer formed by a disulfide bridge, the process which can be reversed through reduction of the GSSG. Such electrons are lost during its reaction with free radicals, in which the free radicals are neutralized by the donation of an electron from the oxidized version of glutathione.

The definition of a free radical is a molecule that is lacking one electron from an electronic pair. Its prime purpose is then to steal an electron from the nearest molecule to it. In doing so, it can not only destroy that molecule, but also destroy body cells and lead, not only to premature aging, but also to some potentially fatal conditions.

It is an unusual peptide in that it involves a link between the cysteine amino grouping and the carboxyl functional group of the glutamic acid. It is a powerful antioxidant, acting as an effective free radical scavenger and protecting the body cells from the effects of free radical oxidation. However, it is on its detoxification effect in the liver that we shall focus here prior to discussing some other uses to which the body puts glutathione in its two manifestations.

Much of the detoxification is connected with the thiol group in the molecule. Take mercury for example. The thiol grouping forms a strong Hg-sulfydryl chemical bond within the liver, in the form of a glutathione-mercury chelate. In this form mercury is unable to exert any toxic effect on the body and can be excreted in the normal manner. The same reactive pathway is followed by other heavy metals that can bond to thiol groupings. In this way L-glutathione can protect the liver from the effects of a number of toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium.

This is an important property of the amino acid, particularly in industrial and urban environments where the population is more prone to exposure to heavy metals than their rural counterparts. However, the end result on the glutathione is that it is removed from the body, and, particularly with city dwellers, a supplement may be required to maintain a healthy concentration of this amino acid in the body and in particular in the liver. Therefore, although L-glutathione is not considered an essential amino acid, in that it is biosynthesized within the body, a supplement is sometimes required, particularly by those who live in large cities.

It is important to consider the form in which the glutathione supplement is administered. This is because of the presence of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase within the digestive system. This enzyme appears to destroy L-glutathione before it can be absorbed in the intestine so normal oral forms of supplementation are likely to be ineffective. Possible forms of effective administration include buccal (between the cheek and teeth) and hypodermically.

An alternative means of supplementation is to take substances such as selenium, methionine, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C and glutamine that stimulate the biosynthesis of glutathione. Also, since the substance utilizes the raw materials of L-cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine in its intracellular production, supplementation with these amino acids should also help to produce L-glutathione.

That said, let’s return to its antioxidant properties and its effect on the liver that contains the largest stocks of glutathione in the body. It is generally regarded as the most important antioxidant in the body. It protects cellular cytoplasm from oxidation by reducing disulfide groups and maintaining a highly reducing environment within the cytoplasm. It reacts with hydrogen peroxide and other oxidative agents, and is converted to the oxidized form GSSG. It is then reduced back to GSH through the combination of the reducing agent and an enzyme. The reducing agent is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), the enzyme being glutathione reductase.

The implications that this strong reducing effect has on the liver are significant. Reduced GSH L-glutathione levels have been found in patients suffering from HIV, hepatitis C and other liver diseases. Supplementation with GSH has been found to restore normal levels of glutathione to the liver, and it has been demonstrated that the treatment has improved such conditions significantly.

Atherosclerosis is a condition of the arteries caused by the deposition of plaques formed from oxidized low-density lipoproteins, otherwise known as bad cholesterol. The strong antioxidant effect of GSH prevents this from LDLs from being oxidized and deposited on the arterial wall. There are other results of glutathione supplementation that indicate the effectiveness of antioxidants in the treatment of serious liver conditions, and there are no doubts that combating the effects of free radicals and oxidizing agents within the liver has a positive effect on many potentially serious liver diseases.

Many of these are exacerbated by the generation of free radicals by relatively modern pollution sources such as pesticides, petrol and diesel emissions, tobacco fumes and various other chemical emissions. A strong antioxidant such as L-glutathione cannot be anything other than an effective means of reducing the biological effect of these oxidants. It protects not only the liver but also the lungs and cardiovascular system.

For all these reasons a supplement consisting of L-glutathione or its constituent parts, glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine, provide significant protection against the stresses and strains of modern living. Increased pollution levels and heightened oxidative stress levels within the body are playing havoc with our body defenses, and GSH is an important one of them that can easily be enhanced by supplementation. There are no known reactions to L-glutathione supplementation, but pregnant women and babies should receive expert medical advice prior to taking it.

More information on glutathione and its counterparts Cysteine are available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lglutathione-how-gsh-and-gssg-detoxify-the-liver-and-improve-health-894377.html

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