iNutritional Supplements » Vitamins Minerals

Going for Right and Effective Nutritional Supplements

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:32:02 +0000

Alien asked:

With the fast pacing of life and dependence on fast food and intake of on-the-go meals, the personal health of the people are degrading continuously. So the major problem is the chronic illness which is affecting most of the people today. We have many medical resources and treatments to diagnose this disease. But with the intake of nutritional supplements life has become quicker and easier.

These nutritional supplements are present in the market in various ranges of price and product. It totally depends upon you which one will you go for.

Nutritional supplements help in aiding the muscle aches, regeneration of body cells, generating antibodies in the body which in turns helps in fighting harmful substances.

Not only this, these Nutritional supplements also have anti-aging benefits, balancing the body by proper intake of vitamins and minerals, and removing harmful toxins from the body.

Some of the Nutritional supplements that can be taken by person which are present in the body are: -

• Carnitine: – it helps in transporting the fats for burning in the bloodstream or into the mitochondria which are the power plants of the cells. It also reduces the desires for the intake of fats and sweets. Moreover it is generated by the body. But people who are overweight can go for the dosage of around 500 mg twice or thrice a day, if they are following a strict exercise rule.

• Chromium: – it helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and also reduces the desires for sugar. It is advised to take around 200 microgram of chromium, 2 times a day for a whole month.

• CLA: – Conjugated linolenic acid helps in metabolic processes of fat and also improves the ratio of fat to lean tissue. It is advised to take about 2 gm of CLA, 2 times a day before your daily meal.

• Lecithin: – it is the natural occurring nutrient that helps in metabolism of the body fat. So take 1200 mg of it twice a day before the daily meal.

• DLPA: – the amino acid phenylalanine helps in stimulating the body metabolic processes and also reduces the carving the appetite. Take around 500 mg of DLPA, 2-3 times a day for three weeks.

• Pyruvic acid: – it helps in burning the body calories.

• Tyrosine: – it helps in stimulating the thyroid and also enhances the metabolic processes.

Criteria for Evaluating Nutritional Supplements and the Need to Evaluate

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:07:28 +0000

Brett Seagrott asked:

A Paradox of Choice Highlights The Need To Evaluate

If you already take nutritional supplements or are considering starting then you’re no doubt well aware of the seemingly endless array of products and choices in the market.

Supplement consumers face a paradox of choice and they know only too well that the quality, safety and efficacy of the thousands of various brands out there are far from equal!

Physicians Management Journal backs this up by reporting that one in three dollars spent on nutritional supplements is WASTED!

Because nutritional supplements in the US are currently regulated under ‘food GMP’ (and these do not address the unique aspects of supplement manufacturing) the market has become flooded with supplements lacking product integrity and making fanciful performance claims.

Supermarket shelves and on-line stores are filled with supplements put together by marketers or other unqualified people trying to cash in on the popularity of the latest ‘in-vogue’ nutrients and on consumers lack of nutritional science knowledge.

The majority of people putting together supplements for sale have little idea of the complex bio-chemistry involved when ingredients are combined or which metabolic pathways they follow when assimilated into the body.

So the need to evaluate supplements is clear. Consumers need a reliable way to evaluate and compare supplements in order to find products that are safe, effective and which offer the best value for money. More on this below.

Different Categories of Supplements – Evaluate Them All

Cheap and ‘middle of the road’ multi vitamin supplements are currently the most popular category choice for the majority of supplement users.

Consumers however need to consider the limited health benefits offered by these types of supplements and that most do not offer good value for money. They contain large amounts of cheap vitamins and minerals and excessive amounts of non-active ingredients (excipients).

While these types of supplements help to ‘top-up’ deficient levels of essential micro-nutrients, they are in reality missing, or deficient in, expensive, key ingredients such as high potency phytonutrients, standardized herbal extracts and male and female ‘support’ nutrients, which are needed to optimize wellness throughout the body.

At the top end of the market is a small category of the best vitamin supplements based on synergistic and nutritionally complete formulas. They have been formulated by highly qualified bio-scientists using the latest research in bio-cellular chemistry and nutritional science.

These broad spectrum multi ingredient supplements target all organs and systems in the body, including the brain, and offer the strongest of health benefits. They do far more than just ‘top-up’ nutrient deficiencies but rather take a holistic approach to wellness by treating the body as a whole.

The consumption of this category of supplement is trending up worldwide. This is being driven by the aging baby boomers generation who use them as a form of preventative health-care to achieve their aim of “staying young and beautiful” as well as allying their fear of chronic illness, particularly cancer.

Now here is a key point:

The markets’ best science-based supplements are far from being equal!

There are always varying degrees of efficacy and value for money and in many cases these differences are significant.

This is primarily due to factors such as organizational structure, shareholder pressure and the marketing model(s) and distribution method(s) of supplement companies. These factors impact on the type and number of ingredients that manufacturers can afford to include in their products as well as the potencies and dose amounts – all of which are key variables when comparing supplements.

Consumers should always keep in mind that almost all supplements are manufactured to a price!

So regardless of which price category a supplement falls in it should be evaluated and then compared to its competitors. This applies even more for the up market multiples because value for money varies more-so.

Criteria for Evaluating Nutritional Supplements

A supplement can be broken apart and evaluated by examining it through 6 criteria:

The Formula

Ingredient Quality

Bio-availability

Synergy

Manufacturing Standards and Protocols

Value for money

By understanding the basics of each, supplements users can get a feel for the science behind supplements and target in on the fine details that manufacturers often love to keep hidden. This then allows consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

The full 6 criteria can be used with multi ingredient products while less complex or single ingredient supplements can be evaluated using only 4 or 5.

To read further details on how to evaluate nutritional supplements follow these link to dedicated pages covering each of the 6 evaluation criteria.

Learn how to evaluate nutritional vitamin supplements

Nutritional vitamin supplements

Why You Should Take Nutritional Supplements

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:45:35 +0000

Wesley Atkins asked:

ings have been as controversial as nutritional supplements have been recently. Depending on who you listen to, they are either the answer to any problem you have or they are the devil incarnate. The truth about nutritional supplements, though, is really somewhere in between.

Nutritional supplements are more widely used now than in other time in history. This is because many people have turned to nutritional supplements in order to fill the gaps in what they know to be unhealthy diets that don’t meet the minimum daily requirements for many, many necessary vitamins and minerals. Others have turned to nutritional supplements in order to enhance everything from their workout regimes to their memory and mental functions.

Considering the controversy over whether it’s safe to take nutritional supplements or not, you probably wonder just what you can really expect from taking nutritional supplements. Do they have any real benefit?

The fact is that taking nutritional supplements in their recommended dosages is extremely helpful for everyone from infants to elderly people. The methods used to grow and process our foods have changed drastically in the last 100 years. In many cases, this means that the food itself is deficient in many essential, basic vitamins and minerals.

Add that to the fact that people are so time-starved today that many of us practically live on meals out of paper bags makes taking nutritional supplements almost mandatory. Taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements is a good way to be certain you get all the proper vitamins and minerals you need daily.

However, nutritional supplements should never be used as a substitute for a good diet. Eating at least three (and many experts recommend five) well-balanced meals and two well-balanced snacks per day is still the best way to be sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay fit and healthy. Adding nutritional supplements to good eating habits simply goes the extra mile to see that you’re getting all the nutrients that your body needs each day.

There are many high-quality multi-vitamins available at your local drugstores, as well as through many online sources. The key thing to remember when you decide to take (and you should!) nutritional supplements of any kind is to take them only as directed. Those directions are put on the bottles and packages for a reason—to ensure the vitamins and other herbal supplements are taken correctly.

This is vital for any nutritional supplement you take to be both as safe and effective as it should be. Too high doses of anything can cause side effects you aren’t expecting and don’t want. When you take more of any vitamin or nutritional supplement than the manufacturer recommends you take daily, then you run the risk of taking more than your body can effectively and safely process in a twenty-four hour period of time. Any risk of taking too much or of unwanted side effects is slight, though, for nutritional supplements when they’re taken as directed. Even slightly higher dosages, in most cases, will have few side effects because your kidneys will flush them from your system, which keeps your body from absorbing too much of any one vitamin or mineral. Still, to be totally safe, take nutritional supplements exactly as instructed.

If you’re still uncertain as to whether you should take a nutritional supplement each day, ask for your doctor’s advice. This is particularly true if you’re on any prescribed medications. It is possible for some supplements to decrease the efficiency of some prescribed medicines and to interact with them, causing unwanted side effects. However, despite many news headlines you may have read, this is rare, especially when nutritional supplements are taken as directed.

Taken properly, nutritional supplements are an excellent way to ensure your body has all it needs to be healthy. Just be sure to use them to supplement, not substitute for, a good healthy diet.

Start Taking Nutritional Supplements for Natural Skin Glow

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:43:03 +0000

Nick Mutt asked:

Healthy glowing skin is one of the most cherished dreams of all of us. Our skin is the reflection of our health and vitality, physical, mental and emotional wellness. A radiant and glowing skin indicates good health, positive attitude and vibrates self confidence.

Natural skin care is not just about using skin products but also an ongoing process of a result of a healthy life-style and right diet that includes vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

But due to busy lifestyle sometimes we are unable to take proper care of our meal plan. This may lead to vitamin deficiency. So instead of trying some beauty cosmetic first we must check the diet that whether it’s enough to provide our basic need of nutrients. If the answer is no then we must go for some nutritional supplements to fill that nutrition gap.

Nutritional supplements will not only provide us with radiant skin glow but also have several health benefits. Also the foundation for good health is a lifestyle that includes a sensible diet with nutritional supplements, sufficient quality sleep, exercises and weight management. Taking high-quality, anti-aging advanced nutritional supplements helps fill in the dietary gaps that everyone will have.

Taking Calcium and Vitamin D supplements can help our bones to stay healthy and strong, and even help prevent osteoporosis in women. Antioxidant nutritional supplements can help us against heart disease, lower the risk of cancer, and help to protect eyes, lungs, and the brain. Fruits and vegetables are very high in antioxidants, so we should make sure that we eat them whenever possible. However most of the time we do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, so taking antioxidants in the form of nutritional supplements is a viable alternative.

However, nutritional supplements should never be used as a substitute for a good diet. Eating at least three well-balanced meals and two well-balanced snacks per day is still the best way to be sure we’re getting all the vitamins and minerals our body needs to stay fit and healthy.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Where Do You Usually Purchase Your Nutritional Supplements?

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:41:07 +0000

Mitamins Team asked:

Where do you usually buy your nutritional supplements? Maybe you’re thinking, “Does it matter?” Yes! Only through trusted, reputable suppliers can you be assured you will get the best value for your money. So when purchasing your vitamins and nutritional supplements, be a wise shopper, as you are not guaranteed high quality and effectiveness if you purchase your nutritional supplements at the clearance bin, yard sales, auction sites, or dollar stores.

The Clearance Bin—80% off is really tempting!

It sounds like a great deal to pick over the clearance bin for vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements(www.mitamins.com), and find some for up to 80% off. But have you ever considered the quality of these discount vitamins? Cheaper doesn’t always translate to better. In fact, nutritional supplements can influence your overall health considerably for the worst if you are attracted to use them only by their lower prices. It is probable that discount products are close to their expiration dates, that formulas are outdated, or the ingredients of the nutritional supplements are sub-par and questioned by health professionals.

Yard Sales—how convenient!

You may find some nutritional supplements(www.mitamins.com) at your neighbor’s moving out sale. Yard sales are common, and sometimes people will purchase half a bottle of vitamins and nutritional supplements at them without thinking about the consequences. Remember that no single bottle of nutritional supplements can be applied to everyone.

Dollar Stores—one dollar? So cheap!

A hundred vitamins for just a dollar? Cheap…but wait…there are no details on the bottle about the ingredients, production date, or expiration date. You don’t even know is the vitamins are legitimate. Are you still going to take a risk and purchase them? The dollar store clerks don’t even have information about the suppliers. You can buy a book or a pencil at the dollar store, but absolutely should not purchase vitamins and nutritional supplements(www.mitamins.com) there.

Auction Web Sites? Interesting…

Auction websites are popular these days and you can get great deals on clothes, glasses, toys, and books through them, however, these sites are not the ideal places for you to purchase nutritional supplements. Even if you are shown a brand-name bottle of nutritional supplements from these sites, and the seller seems trustworthy, it is still not a good idea to order them.

From Hairballs to Arthritis, Pet Nutritional Supplements Tries to Solve it All

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:11:37 +0000

Paul Kramer asked:

We may have a lot of differences with dogs and cats in terms of anatomy and physiology but it appears we are no different in nutrition development. Just as dietary supplements have become a growing trend for us upright creatures, the current craze for our four-legged friends are nutritional supplements. Although veterinarians and other animal experts don’t seem to see eye to eye regarding this matter, nutritional supplements for pets have become a major force in the animal feed department.

Besides the vast number of producers and distributors of nutritional supplements for pets, these more natural alternatives to pet food come in increasingly specific varieties. Above and beyond the vitamins, minerals typical of a food supplement, there are those with anti-oxidants and immuno-stimulants, digestion and elimination supplements, and high energy nutritional supplements.

Our pets won’t get left behind when it comes to staying slim, too, as there are nutritional supplements for pets that are specifically designed for weight loss! Also, if your kitten or puppy does not get enough milk, there are supplements that act as milk replacer!

There are even nutritional supplements for pets that aid in keeping them well-groomed. Skin/coat supplements and laxatives and hairball treatments make it easier for you to keep your pet always looking trim. Unless you’re one who garbs your pet in cute shirts, their basic all-around outfit is their skin or fur.

In the same way that we suffer stress and pain, our pets do, too. But pet supplements providers have got this covered! There are nutritional supplements for pets that serve to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. If your pet experiences arthritis and joint pains in particular, there are supplements especially for that! These are said to be pretty helpful also as prevention to strengthen your pet’s bones even before arthritis sets in.

It’s interesting to note the sort of disclaimer that’s always present in the promotional materials. Most nutritional supplements promise a lot of benefits but it’s always balanced off with notices that results may vary depending on your pet’s response. So one might say it doesn’t really guarantee you anything. Pretty consistent with human nutritional supplements. Basically, it leaves you to choose whether to give it a try and see if it works.

There are countless testimonies as to the effectiveness of certain nutritional supplements for pets, some even from certified experts and doctors. But, it’s still you who decides what’s best for your pet. At the very least, giving ALL or a random pick of these supplements might not be a good idea. Consulting your personal veterinarian is.

At the onset, you should consult your veterinarian about the diet of your pet. Some pet specialists argue that nutritional supplements for pets are unnecessary since the formulated pet food already has sufficient nutrients and you only have to choose the best kind for your pet. Whether they are right or not, it is smart to find out what is or what’s not in the food you’re already feeding your pet.

Do you Know the Benefits of Nutritional Supplements?

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:26:49 +0000

Nick Mutt asked:

Nutritional supplements are one of the important things we can do for the overall health of our mind and body. Ideally, the sources of vitamins, minerals and nutrients are the food we take but sometimes due to faulty eating habits and improper diet there arises some gap in our nutritional requirements. We must know the role of nutrition in our proper health. Basically nutrition refers to the nurturing of our body, in our ability to keep it healthy and functioning as it is supposed to do. So it is very essential to take care that our nutritional requirements are properly fulfilled.

Also due to modern processing and farming methods, foods that should be high in certain nutrients no longer are. Another culprit in the nutrition depletion of foods is our food cooking and preparation. Like these there are many other factors contributing to the poor nutrient content of our foods.

Few latest researches have reported that due to environmental stress there is an extra burden on our immune systems. The best way to counter the stress on our body’s health caused by all of these toxins and such is to support our body with proper nutrition. Since our foods are nutrient depleted, the only way to properly support our health is through nutritional supplements.

Others have turned to nutritional supplements in order to enhance everything from their workout regimes to their memory and mental functions. Taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements is a good way to be certain we get all the proper vitamins and minerals you need daily.

If you’re still uncertain as to whether you should take a nutritional supplement each day, ask for your doctor’s advice. This is particularly true if you’re on any prescribed medications. It is possible for some supplements to decrease the efficiency of some prescribed medicines and to interact with them, causing unwanted side effects.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Are Nutritional Supplements a Waste of Money ?

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:10:04 +0000

Darrell Knox asked:

Nutritional supplements like vitamin tablets and herbs are used by approximately 70% of the US population alone. Most people even if they don’t mind eating takeaway regularly still jump at the possibility of becoming healthier using an easy method like a tablet or herb drink; even if it’s just to make them feel less guilty about eating more burgers.

Many people believe that nutritional supplements are responsible for their illnesses disappearing and there is in fact scientific research to back such claims, so they can definitely work “can” being the key word.

You may be wondering why we need nutritional supplements in the first place. Lets face it, we humans are creatures just like all the other animals out there. 90% of what we do in life is not natural. Driving a car, going to work and wearing clothes is not what we were suppose to do in life. Now this also relates to the food we eat, meaning most of the food we eat like chips, cakes, ice cream and pizza is not natural. In actual fact all we are suppose to consume is meat from animals, fruit, vegetables and drink water. If all we consumed were those things we would probably be much healthier and would have no need for nutritional supplements.

Most of us will not consume the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals we need so that’s where nutritional supplements come in and can assist your health.

So know you know that nutritional supplements are beneficial to your health and why we need to take them let’s get straight into the process of choosing a nutritional supplement.

Check the ingredients

When debating whether to purchase a supplement, you should give the label a thorough viewing. Check the nutritional and ingredients panel to see if exactly what you will be consuming. If you’re allergic to any specific ingredients or nutrients than obviously this part is essential.

Check for Standards Label

You should definitely inspect the label to look for any messages, which says tested by or meets the standards by; If you live in the US, the USP label is what you should be looking for. If there is no such labeling than you really are taking a gamble, not only with your money but with your health too.

Expiration Dates

Simply put if the bottle contains no expiration date, don’t buy it.

Price

Although a higher price may not mean a healthier product, avoid any supplements that are priced remarkably low.

Purchase from a drug store

The safest place to purchase any nutritional supplements is from a drug store. It may not be an ultimate security mechanism, but a drug store will definitely attract a higher amount of reputable products.

See your Doctor

Arrange a consultation with your family doctor and together work out a nutritional supplement plan. Apart from yourself, no one else knows your body better than your doctor. Your doctor will help you understand which types of supplements you need and which ones you should avoid.

At the end of the day, you need to realize that you’re responsible for what you put in your body. It’s not worth gambling with your health, so please consult with your doctor and keep the above points in mind next time you shop for nutritional supplements.

Nutritional Supplements – Why Should You Take Care

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:25:05 +0000

Lorna Mclaren asked:

Nutritional supplements are becoming increasingly popular. As our population grows older and yet stays fitter we are all striving to slow the clock. What some people don realise is that some of the supplements are not merely harmless nutrients but that high levels can cause dangerous imbalances and some can even react harmfully with some common prescription drugs. Once you know of these risks you would be advised to speak to you doctor for the sake of your health.

Many, many people believe that because vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements are sold as health foods they are only associated with positive effects. As with everything there is positive and negative effects to be had with most nutritional supplements.

If nutritional supplements are take to excess, that is in quantities greater than the recommended dietary allowances, then they are classes as drugs. In these circumstances the nutritional supplements can adversely affect a persons’ health and cause interference with prescribed medication.

Here are just some examples of what can happen if care is not exercised when taking nutritional supplements.

Vitamin A – fatigue and lethargy Vitamin D – possible kidney failure Vitamin C – gas and diarrhoea (dehydration can occur due to diarrhoea) Vitamins A, D, K – reaction to toxicity Niacin – flushed skin, impaired liver function Iodine – enlargement of the thyroid gland Magnesium – diarrhoea

If you feel the need to take nutritional supplements then do so but be aware that the same amount of care you employ when taking prescription medication should also be taken when taking nutritional supplements.

Nutritional supplements can be taken for a variety of reasons. If you are vegetarian then you may not get all that you need from your more limited diet choice and therefore a nutritional supplement can keep you on top form. If you dislike fish then again a nutritional supplement can fill in that dietary gap. Some people either dislike dairy products or only like a few and therefore a top up nutritional supplement can be just the thing.

Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional and don’t take high doses of vitamins without advice first. Your doctor will also be able to advise if you are getting the right quantities of everything you need from you current diet or whether a nutritional supplement can be of help. Some minor niggles such as mild headache or mild persistent tiredness can be signs of nutritional deficiency and could be simply set right with the correct nutritional supplement.

Why Should you Use Nutritional Supplements in your Diet?

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:12:09 +0000

Chris DiCicco asked:

Nutritional supplements are used to fulfill a deficiency of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in our everyday diet. A few years ago nutritional supplements were not as popular among people as they are today. This is because in years passed there was not much need for anyone to take these supplements. People used to eat pure and healthy food which consisted of a balanced diet including milk, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, fish. Basically back then our diet contained everything that we needed in order for our bodies to function correctly. Today our busy schedules have made our minds so pre-occupied that we don’t have enough time to eat enough to fulfill all our body needs. Combined with the fact that the vegetables are extensively farmed and kept on shelves for a long time, this reduces the nutrient intake that we actually eat. This is why we need nutritional supplements to maintain our health.

It is a known fact that nutritional supplements are useful for people belonging to all age groups. Children need adequate amounts of calcium, phosphorus and iron to develop healthy bones and teeth. Similarly, elderly people need all kinds of vitamins and energy vitalizing substances to keep themselves fit. These supplements also help them fight against various diseases, and some are even thought to prevent heart attacks and even cancer. Many nutritional supplements, including folic acid, are recommended to pregnant women to protect the baby from developing any abnormality. Obesity and high cholesterol can also be treated by using nutritional supplements made from natural plant and animal extracts.

Lately there has been much debate as to whether nutritional supplements are really useful or if there’s really no point in taking them. It’s true that there is no alternative for a proper balanced diet, nothing can take the place of fresh fruits and vegetables. But at the same time taking small amounts of health supplements is not harmful at all, instead it provides protection against many diseases in the long run.

You should never replace your everyday meals with nutritional supplements, although meal replacement powders are available on the market. As with any change in your diet it’s important to consult a health specialist before consuming any kind of nutritional supplement. Also don’t fall for the many attractive advertisements about some supplement products that claim to do wonders overnight. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!

Natural food extracts should always be preferred over other man-made supplements. A weight loss supplement made from extracts of green tea is an example. Many other supplements are also made by combining different herbal extracts and a blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids. As you must have guessed, these materials are not harmful for the body at all as they all occur naturally.

People who are taking antibiotics are advised to ask their doctor before buying nutritional supplements because they might interfere with the antibiotic course that has to be completed in order to treat an infection. Similarly diabetic patients and those suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol are advised not to consume any kind of weight gain or energy boosting supplement before consulting their doctor.

You also need to remember that these nutritional supplements are effective only when right amounts of each one is taken as prescribed by a health specialist. Overdose might prove to be detrimental to your health. Similarly taking less than the correct dosage, or not following the procedure correctly may not prove to be as effective for the body.

Overdose can also cause some side effects like dizziness and nausea. There are no clear signs of vitamin or mineral deficiency in the body, but when you feel that your diet is not composed of all the healthy food that must be consumed everyday, you should immediately ask your doctor’s opinion. If taken properly and as part of a healthy balanced diet, nutritional supplements are an excellent way to ensure that your body is being fed with all the necessary nutrients it needs in order to function properly and defend it from various kinds of illnesses.