Does eating a healthy balanced diet alone provide all of the nutrients that the human body needs to function correctly? There are many different types and brands of nutritional supplements available to the consumer, but what are the benefits of using these products? 

These are just some of the questions people may have regarding nutritional supplementation and the purpose of this article is to answer some of these questions.

There are many different types of nutritional products available today and the health and wellness industry is one of the fastest growing industries at the present time.  This is due to many factors including the rise in obesity and the increasing numbers of individuals being diagnosed with degenerative diseases.

It is sometimes believed (especially amongst older generations) that eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is sufficient to maintain good health, but there is also the conflicting argument that without supplementation, many people’s intake of vital nutrients falls far short of their body’s requirements.

Before I discuss these issues, I would first like to give a brief overview of some of the nutrients that the human body needs to function correctly:

Firstly there are the macronutrients.  Macronutrients include Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats.  At the most simplified level, carbohydrates provide our bodies with energy, proteins are responsible for building and repairing muscle tissue and fats provide additional energy reserves and allow for the transportation of micronutrients around the body.  Fats are also necessary for the production of certain hormones.

Secondly there are micronutrients.  Micronutrients include vitamins (also known as anti-oxidants) and minerals.  Each vitamin (A, B12, C, D, E, K, etc.) and mineral (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, etc.) performs a specific role within the body and they are all required for good bodily function.  Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals have been identified as one of the primary factors in the development of degenerative disease, as vitamins in particular are responsible for the removal of free radicals within the body. 

Free radicals are harmful molecules, which are produced by chemical reactions within the human body, as well as by factors in our external environment.  They attack healthy cells causing them to break down (degenerate), potentially leading to the development of degenerative disease in the long term.

As an example, it has been suggested that in order to promote optimum health, 400 IU (International Units) of vitamin E should be consumed on a daily basis.  To put this into context, an individual would have to consume 14.5 kg of spinach each day to achieve this level.  Alternatively, 1kg or almonds would provide the same oxidative defence for the human cells.  This example should highlight that it is very difficult to consume 400 IU of vitamin E without incorporating nutritional supplementation.  This value is significantly higher than the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for a number of reasons:

Firstly, RDAs were established in the 1940s and were guidelines to prevent diseases such as scurvy and rickets and are often considered to be somewhat out of date.  In addition, the external environment in which we live today contains higher levels of pollutants, radiation and other harmful toxins, which significantly increases our need for anti-oxidants. 

It is known that the levels of vitamins in fresh fruit and vegetables depletes over time, so in order to get the best anti-oxidative defence from our foods, we would have to consume them immediately after they were harvested.  This is very difficult today due to the nature of supermarket’s distribution processes.

In summary, high quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplements can be beneficial for everyone, to ensure the intake of adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals.  This can support healthy body function, elevate energy levels and may also reduce free radical damage and cellular degeneration within the body.

Macronutrient supplements (i.e. proteins, meal replacements and healthy snacking options), also serve a purpose to many individuals: 

An example would be for a vegetarian who may generally find it difficult to consume sufficient quantities of protein.  In this instance, a Soy Protein supplement could be of use.  Soy protein does not contain animal products and can provide all of the essential amino acids that the body requires for building and repairing bodily tissues.

For individuals looking to manage their weight, meal replacements can provide the correct balance of nutrients in a low calorie supplement.  Meal replacements can be a convenient way for people with busy lives to regulate calorie intake.

Healthy snacking options may also provide an excellent means for receiving a good balance of nutrients with little or no preparation.  It would generally be more beneficial to an individual’s health to consume a high quality healthy snack bar than to purchase a snack from a convenience store.

Therefore, the use of macronutrient snacks usually depends on an individual’s health goals and personal dietary requirements.

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Millions of people suffer from the most common form of hepatitis – Hepatitis C. This infection is blood borne. Hepatitis C often starts with general flu-like symptoms (loss of appetite, fatigue, headaches, sore throat) and can progress to and often leads to severe liver problems, even causing cirrhosis. Many people struggle with the long term effects of Hepatitis C, with little relief. Fortunately, Hepatitis C supplements can improve the long-term outcome of this illness.

There are a variety of supplements that relieve some of the symptoms related to Hepatitis C. There is one supplement that uses ancient health secrets to provide modern-day treatments – Mesosilver Colloidal Silver.

Mesosilver colloidal silver is a pure mineral supplement. Colloid is a scientific term for minuscule or microscopic particles that are suspended in a liquid. Colloidal minerals are minute particles of silver broken down and suspended in water so it can be ingested. Mesosilver particles are the smallest, most effective particles of silver available – 0.65 nanometers in diameter. Mesosilver colloidal silver particles are made of pure, sterilized water and pure silver particles.

The Mesosilver colloidal silver is an effective complementary therapy to Hepatitis C. Silver was used in ancient times to treat infectious diseases. Nowadays, we know that colloidal silver is an effective Hepatitis C supplement because the silver particles prohibit cell metabolism of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses.

Hepatitis C supplements provide the body with minerals needed to achieve optimal health. These minerals not only support the immune system, but are also important building blocks in supporting soft tissue development (ligaments, muscles and tendons) as well as bone strength. Minerals are also essential for the regulation bodily functions such as heartbeat, transportation of oxygen to body tissue, and blood clotting.

Hepatitis C supplements such as colloidal silver help support the immune system as it tries to destroy the Hepatitis C virus. Mesosilver colloidal silver may help inhibit the progression of the illness and assist with some of the symptoms associated with the illness. Many individuals that suffer from Hepatitis C report a significant change in their viral load count after taking colloidal silver.

Mesosilver colloidal silver can provide a real improvement in your health, whether you suffer from Hepatitis C or any other ailment. In fact, colloidal silver treatments are reported to help the body defend against 650 known bacteria, viruses and fungus. Colloidal silver treatments strengthen and boost the immune system and establish a strong defense against illness.

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You may disagree, but hear me out.  I believe that everyone can benefit by learning a little more about fish oil, and some of the wonderful things that supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids can do for your health.  It wasn’t that long ago when the truly in-depth studies into the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids began, and over the last couple of decades it has become apparent as to why we all need to get more omega-3s into our system.

It was apparent a long time ago that omega-3 fatty acids played a significant part in our growth and development, but it has only been within the last couple of decades that we have begun to truly understand exactly how much these nutrients are capable of doing for us.  If you truly want to enjoy the best state of health possible, then omega-3 fatty acids are the nutrients that you absolutely must have.

First let me tell you about fish oil and the effect that it has on the developing fetus.  It has been proven through numerous clinical studies that the benefits of supplementation that a mother enjoys can be passed on to her developing child.  Taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement from the start of your pregnancy is good for the baby, but never is it more important than during the third trimester of your pregnancy.

This is when the most crucial cognitive development is taking place.  It has been shown that an infant born with high levels of DHA omega-3 fatty acid in their umbilical cord blood will perform better than their DHA deprived contemporaries in most intellectual pursuits.  They will also develop superior visual acuity, and perform better in contests relating to hand and eye coordination.

Another thing about fish oil  and cognitive health is that it has been proven that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids play a role in preventing the development of amyloid plaques on the brain that are considered to be a precursor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.  There is also some evidence that these nutrients may have a positive affect when it comes to Parkinson’s disease as well.

DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids have also proven to be tremendously effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, no matter what dietary factors are involved.  Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of atherosclerosis; prevent blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots, lower triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.  They also prevent the arrhythmia that could potentially lead to sudden cardiac death.

Now that you know a little bit about fish oil and its benefits, I should tell you that you want the source of your omega fatty acids to come from a capsule, and not a fish.  The fish that provide this precious oil have become too contaminated for us to increase the amount that we consume per week.  Capsulated omega fatty acids have been purified to remove toxins, which is impossible to do with fish.

In conclusion, start taking a DHA omega-3 fish oil supplement today for better health, and be sure to tell your friend’s about fish oil as well.

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A Research Laboratory had investigated on how safe alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is in human body. In their first experiment, subjects with mild hypertension and high normal BP ingested bread with fourteen grams of common blended oil or ALA enriched oil for twelve weeks.

The oil test contained 2.6 grams per 14 grams of alpha-linolenic acid. The subjects followed strictly controlled meals throughout the study period.

Systolic BP was notably lower in the alpha-linolenic acid group compared to the control group after taking the test diet for four, eight and twelve weeks. Diastolic BP was notably lower in the alpha-linolenic acid group than in the control group after taking the test diet for twelve weeks.

In their second experiment, they evaluated how safe it is to take high amounts of ALA; particularly increased ALA has something to do with the oxidation of our body as well as blood coagulation.

High-normotensive, mildly hypertensive and normotensive subjects take bread that has 42 grams of the test oil or the control oil for four weeks. There was no significant difference noted in the high sensitive level of C-reactive protein, lipid peroxide level, activated thromboplastin time or plasma prothrombin time between the two group subjects.

There were no abnormal changes observed after the test diet consumption on urinalysis or blood test, and no adverse effect considered to have been stimulated by the control oil or test oil in both group experiments. These results conclude that alpha-linolenic acid has an antihypertensive effect with no unfavorable effect in subjects either with high normal BP or mild hypertension.

After some researches and evidence from the experiments, it has been discovered that omega 3 fish oil for cardiovascular health could as well significantly decrease high blood pressure levels. Even though the precise way of the effect is up till now to be discovered, experts believe that the anti coagulant and anti inflammatory factors found in Omega 3 fatty acids are useful in this regard.

Even the University of Connecticut Health Center published a paper that states that Omega 3 fish oil for cardiovascular health supplements benefit people who are suffering from high blood pressure.

The Omega 3 EPA that is rich in fish oil helps to thin the blood and produce anti inflammatory eicosanoids. The thinning effect helps blood to circulate more efficiently throughout our body.

After thirty-one trials by the Medical School of Harvard and seventeen trials by Johns Hopkins School, researchers have discovered that fish oil has the ability to reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The healing rate is also faster with high intake of omega 3 fish oil.

However, the most interesting in this field is that fish oil consumption could also dramatically lower hypertension. The benefit of taking Omega-3 fatty acid is it has no adverse effect on people with normal BP.

In some cases, Omega 3 fish oil for cardiovascular health supplements are the best substitutes that are available with a well balanced content of necessary ingredients and have the same of effects of taking an actual fish directly.

However, it is important to keep in mind that you have to carefully select your fish oil supplement by asking a physician, to get the best advice and result.

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Omega 3 fatty acids offer amazing benefits and are indispensable for our overall health and well-being. In this article, find out what the best natural food sources of Omega 3 are and how you can reap their maximum health benefits.

Consuming a healthy diet which is rich in natural food sources of Omega 3 is especially important for Westerners. This is because of a huge imbalance in the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids in the diet of the majority of the people in the United States.

The optimal ratio of Omega 3 to Omega six should be around 1:1, but the average Western diet consists of a ratio of 20:1, which means 20 parts of Omega 6 for every one part of Omega 3 fatty acids. Natural health experts are of the opinion that this could lead to a lot of health problems in the coming years.

This problem did not exist for our ancestors due to 2 big reasons –

a) In the early days, our ancestors used to consume meat that was derived from grass-fed cattle. Thus, it served as rich food sources of Omega 3 for them. These days, we consume meat that has been produced by grain fed cattle and livestock, which contains very less Omega 3 as it is not their natural diet.

b) Although fish derived from the seas and ocean are rich in Omega 3s, they are contaminated with toxins such as mercury, lead, PCBs, etc. And livestock fish raised in farms are not excellent food sources of Omega 3 because they are fed on food pellets, which is not their natural diet and leads to a lower omega 3 content.

Thus, natural food sources of omega 3 have become a rare commodity these days.

Although, fish is still one of the best food sources of Omega 3 s; consuming it directly would not be recommended due to the health hazards posed by harmful contaminants contained in their flesh. The best approach is to take purified fish oil supplements that have undergone the process of molecular distillation. They give all the health advantages of Omega 3s without the risk of toxins.

Some other natural food sources of Omega 3 are –

- Spinach
- Collard beans
- Flax seed
- Nuts such as walnuts and almonds
- Fish and seafood such as tuna, shrimps, halibut, scallops, etc.
- Cauliflower and broccoli

A major disadvantage with plant food sources of omega 3 is that they contain the ALA form of omega 3 fatty acids, whereas fish oil contains both DHA and EPA Omega 3s. ALA has to be converted into DHA and EPA before it can be used by the body.

This process of conversion from ALA to DHA and EPA by the body does not always take place smoothly and efficiently, especially in people with sub par health and elderly people. Therefore, fish oil and its purified supplements gain an upper edge when it comes to natural food sources of Omega 3 supplementation.

Make sure that you buy only “pharmaceutical grade” fish oil or molecularly distilled supplement products. Molecular distillation is a process of removing toxins and contaminants from the fish oil, so that the resultant pure oil can then be encapsulated into supplements that are safe for consumption by everyone.

It provides the best of both worlds — science and nature; and is an ideal way of achieving all the health benefits of Omega 3s without the risk of toxins.

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