Nutritional Health Supplements - Vitamin C

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

What do Humans have in common with Apes.

What do humans have in common with apes, guinea pigs and some fruit bats? They all share the inability to produce their own vitamin C. All other animals produce vitamin C inside own bodies. This is news for most folks. I didn't know it until I heard it on one of my cd sets that I listen to.

Why do we need vitamin C? Science and medicine has shown that vitamin C is one of the critical nutritional health supplements we need in our daily lives. It plays a major role in maintaining our natural antioxidant defenses against cell damage and supporting the body's immune functions. It also supports healthy teeth, gums, bones, muscles and our blood vessels.

People that get adequate quantities of vitamin C seem to have less heart disease because their bodies are more able to maintain its cardiovascular health. This brings up the question at least in my mind how much vitamin C should be taken?

Research was done on the amount of vitamin C that is naturally produced in animals that don't seem to develop heart disease. These animals generate approximately 10 grams per 154 pounds of body weight. In other words a person that weighs 154 pounds would have to take 10 grams of vitamin C to be equal to what these animals generate naturally within their bodies.

Dr. Linus Pauling, a Nobel Prize winning scientist originated the idea that bowel tolerance is the "copy nature" concept of vitamin C supplementation. It means taking as much supplemental vitamin C as your body can absorb. Your gastrointestinal tract lets you know how much you're absorbing, and then how much is too much by producing excess gas. If you don't cut back on the amount you're taking, the excess gas will continue to escalate into diarrhea.

Many healthy adults 40 years old or older can take 1 to 2 grams of vitamin C twice a day with no excess gas, but when you're "coming down with something," or when you're under a lot of stress, you can take considerably more. When you're already sick with the flu or a very bad cold, you may be able to take 5 to 10 grams two or three times daily before your body tells you you're taking too much.

Other studies that were done in 1992 at UCLA, the researchers found in a 10-year study involving over 11,000 adults between the ages of 25 and 74. They concluded that men who took 800 milligrams of vitamin C daily lived six years longer than men who took only 60 milligrams daily.

It seems that you are going to have to experiment for yourself to determine the amount of vitamin C you can take. In my experience you can build up more tolerance if you ease into it so your body acclimates to these seemingly higher dosages.

The fact that seems indisputable is that your body needs vitamin C whether you get it from fruits, vegetables or as a nutritional health supplement. If you're not getting enough vitamin C you can easily get started today and help yourself become a more healthier you.

Independent Shaklee Distributor Online
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864

Nutritional Health Supplements – Protein in Its Many Disguises

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

Protein is composed of smaller units called amino acids. Our bodies can't manufacture the nine essential amino acids, so it's important to include them in our diets. Protein is an extremely important nutrient whether your goal is to lose fat, gain muscle or just tone yourself up. It is the main structural nutrient in your body, making up the bulk of your muscles and organs. Protein is the main component of our muscles, organs, and the glands of the immune system. Every living cell in our body contains protein; and all body fluids, except urine and bile, contain protein.

Protein – Milk, Animal or Plant

Milk contains protein but it can cause reactions in folks that are intolerant to lactose, this can include vomiting, rhinitis and coughing symptoms, diarrhea, hives, difficulty in breathing, intestinal symptoms and, in the worst case, an anaphylactic shock. Milk comes with enzymes which help the body digest the milk. Pasteurization kills all of these enzymes.

Egg white protein contains all of the essential amino acids in biologically significant amounts and is simply one of the most complete sources of proteins and amino acids in existence. Egg protein is 100 percent lactose free, as is soy protein. There are more expensive varieties of whey that are 100 percent lactose free as well.

Hemp is a mostly forgotten type of protein that was used. Our grand parents and our great grand parents had access to many hemp products including hemp seeds that contain the valuable protein. I did a quick search on Google and found that you can still get this type of protein powder supplement.

Plant proteins that come in our breads and cereals and lack some of the essential amino acids. That is why their protein is often called "incomplete." It is recommended that at least 50 to 75 percent of your protein needs come from complete protein sources such as nutritional health supplements.

Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. Antibodies, enzymes and hormones are proteins. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and this means essential amino acids are necessary for the body to function properly and to stay strong and healthy. Essential amino acids are amino acids which are indispensable to the body, but are not manufactured our bodies, therefore it is important that these amino acids be obtained in some way.

Protein powder is designed to be taken everyday as many nutritional health supplements are. Even if you aren't a bodybuilder or everyday athlete, starting your day with a protein powder shake can provide many benefits.

Protein powder is widely regarded as the most important supplement for gaining muscle mass if you are training. Many nutritional experts also believe that the more sources of protein you consume the greater muscle growth. Protein powder is commonly used by both men and women in their quest for a better physique. Protein powder is essential for any strength training and athletic individuals, since it is so hard to get the protein you need from normal food without increasing your calorie or fat intake at the same time, thus making you fat.

Soy protein powder is one protein powder that is excellent for shakes because it is tasteless yet adds a thick, creamy texture. Soy has numerous effective health benefits on the cardiovascular and hormonal systems. Soy has continued to emerge as a nutritional health supplements powerhouse.

When picking out soy based protein powders one of the most important things to look for is Non-Genetically Modified Organism products. Soybean plants are the most genetically modified organism (GMO) in the United States food supply. As of January 2006 the percentage of soybeans that have been genetically modified is estimated to be 75% and spreading fast. Shaklee uses an independent certification process that ensures the soybeans used in their soy protein powder are free from exposure to genetically modified soybeans.

Independent Shaklee Distributor Online
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864

Nutritional Health Supplements – Saw Palmetto

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

I'm going address an issue that seems to get an abundance of commercial time when us guys are looking at sports on television. Do you notice how many ads there are touting an over abundance of "men's products"? It's hard to believe how much time the drug companies have purchased so they can promote their next miracle cure all drugs.

If you are as disgusted as I am with what is continually promoted then you might want to consider an alternative remedy. The wisdom of our ancestors in these matters is just as good if not better than the drugs being pushed on us. You won't need to worry about the disclaimer either at the end because of the side effects doing more harm than the good of the treatment you're starting with.

Believe it or not you can find what you may be looking for in natural nutritional health supplements but you won't see it in an advertisement while watching your sports' championship series.

Ancient Wisdom of the Original Naturalists

American Indians used Saw Palmetto fruit for food as a treatment for genitourinary tract disturbances, a remedy for reproductive system problems, a tonic to support the body nutritionally and as a love potion. It is now a popular and effective treatment for prostate enlargement in men but has it's origins in natural medicine as a breast enlarger for women and is still recommended today by naturopathic physicians for increasing breast size.

As you can see our ancestors already figured out that Saw Palmetto is known for its aphrodisiac properties, as well as being helpful in maintaining a proper hormone balance in the prostate gland, which is necessary for optimal sexual function. It is used by doctors in Italy, Germany and France for benign enlargement of the prostate.

Today's research is showing us that Saw Palmetto is excellent for treating swollen or enlarged prostate, commonly called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Symptoms of BPH include difficulty in urinating, dull aches, impotence, difficulty maintaining an erection, urgency and waking to urinate. Regular use of saw palmetto supports normal urinary elimination, especially during the night when you're trying to sleep..

Research indicates that up to 90% of the men that have regularly used Saw Palmetto have responded favorably. Some studies in Europe show that this herb not only reduces the discomfort and symptoms of BPH, but also reduces the actual size of the prostate gland.

Saw Palmetto the Plant

Saw Palmetto is a very drought-tolerant plant, growing in the dry flat woods, dunes, scrub and low-lying areas on the coastal plain from South Carolina to Florida and Louisiana. Saw palmetto is also known as the American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm, and it goes by the Latin names Serenoa repens and Sabal serrulata.

It has large, broad palm-like laves that are light green inland and silvery-white in costal regions. The stem of the palm frond is serrated like a saw, hence its name. Saw Palmetto is extremely slow growing, but long lived, with some plants, especially in Florida, living for over seven hundred years.

This is a subject that a lot of men let their egos get in the way of. At least silently admit the problem to yourself, ok? My intention for presenting this information is for your education and to possibly give you the option to use alternative nutritional health supplements that you don't need a prescription for.

Independent Shaklee Online Distributor
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864

Nutritional Health Supplements – Fish Oil

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association, heart disease — specifically coronary artery disease — is still the number one cause of death of men and women in the United States. And while it was once considered a man's disease, today more women than men die from heart disease. And unfortunately, at least 100 million Americans have one or more risk factors for heart disease.

To reduce the risk of heart disease, the AHA recommends eating two servings of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids each week. But most Americans eat fish only three times per month or less. Moreover, there are growing concerns about unsafe levels of contaminants such as mercury and lead that are now commonly found in many fish.

Fish oil is an excellent source of EPA and DHA, which the body uses to make the "calming" omega-3 fatty acids and keep the brain healthy. These compounds help to reduce artery blockages and prevent heart attacks. Fish oil is also associated with improved blood vessel functioning and decreased resting heart rate.

According to reports coming from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Fish oil can help reduce deaths from heart disease, The systematic reviews of the available data found evidence that long chain omega-3 fatty acids, the beneficial component ingested by eating fish or taking fish oil as nutritional health supplements, reduce heart attack and other problems related to heart and blood vessel disease in persons who already have these conditions, as well as their overall risk of death.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids do a lot more than benefit your heart though. DHA appears to be a wonderfully powerful nutrient in regard to how your brain functions. Research is also showing that nutritional health supplements with omega-3 fish oils can result in a significant reduction in joint inflammation; this reduces morning stiffness and lowers the number of painful joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients both animal and human.

Our elderly population should also be aware of the benefits of fish oil, the DHA and EPA can help retard the brain atrophy, prevent the brain function from recession and reduce the incidence of Alzheimer disease. Fish oil is an excellent source of energy, Vitamin A, D and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin A and D are concentrated in the liver of fish, therefore the concentration of Vitamin A and D is higher in oils extracted from livers, such as, cod liver oil, tuna liver oil, etc.

It is important to get fish oil nutritional health supplements that are certified to be pharmaceutical grade. Use of the low temperature triple molecular distillation purification process is what concentrates the oil avoiding formation of trans fats removing any heavy metals leaving a low odor, no aftertaste and easy to digest fish oil capsule. At the end of this process you have the full spectrum of seven ultra pure omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. These include DHA, EPA, ALA and four other naturally occurring omega-3s.

Independent Shaklee Distributor
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864

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Nutritional Health Supplements - Green Tea

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

Fatigue is a common everyday complaint in our fast-paced society, ranking among the top five health problems reported by many adults. In fact, four out of 10 adults across all age groups experience it, and the problem affects more women than men.

What's more, lack of energy becomes a vicious cycle, with stress and the inability to relax being among the most common reasons for sleep problems. The problem is further compounded by the fact that the majority of adults who report fatigue and loss of energy admit that they don't get the RDA of most important vitamins and minerals even one day per week. A lot of folks are turning to nutritional health supplements as a way gain the upper hand in this battle.

Green tea promotes sustained vitality and is very high in polyphenols with potent antioxidant and anticancer properties. Green tea is derived from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis; most commonly grown in Asia, it has become increasing popular all over the world. Organic green tea is effective due to its ingredients that contain natural metabolism boosters and powerful antioxidants that aid in cleansing the body and providing protection from disease. Green tea is produced by drying and steaming the fresh leaves to inactivate the polyphenol oxidase, and thus, non-oxidation occurs.

Polyphenols influence glucose metabolism in part by helping the body regulate sensitivity to the hormone insulin. Compounds in green tea enhance insulin sensitivity, keeping the brain running smoothly on steady levels of glucose. Therefore, green tea is also effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. The tea also contains some caffeine, which is why it may increase alertness. Green Tea can be consumed in your daily cup of tea or in more concentrated nutritional health supplements.

Ginseng is one of nature's greatest gifts, traditionally used to revitalize and replenish vital energy. It is used to increase physical and mental endurance, boost energy, normalize body functions, reduce cholesterol, and prevent cancer. Ginseng is known throughout the world as one of the most valuable herbs in nature. In ancient China, The Four-Canons of Seng-Nung, a famous herbal medicine book written in 2838 B.C., records Ginseng as a rare "superior" herb believed to enhance youth and longevity if taken over long periods of time and safe enough to take every day.

Ginseng is helpful in the treatment of memory loss, balance of blood sugar levels, slowing down the aging process, helping the immune system, stimulates rejuvenation and virility. Ginseng is said to have a very peculiar and soothing effect on the mental symptoms and as a rule most symptoms affecting the heart accompany deficiency syndromes in the body of the person. Ginseng is seen as having both soothing and revitalizing adaptogenic properties. Ginseng seems to be able to increase the body's ability to adapt and adjust.

Cordyceps fight everyday fatigue and are a greatly valued mushroom that has been extensively clinically tested in China and found to help fight everyday fatigue.

Cordyceps are found in the high Himalayan Mountains, between 14,000 to 16,000 feet in elevation and grows in the soil in these high, cold and arid mountains. Cordyceps Sinensis are considered one of the three most expensive and nourish Chinese herbs in the world. Cordyceps are found in China, where the medical fraternity have been trying to derive its medicinal value. Cordyceps Sinesis supposedly increases the fighter cells in our body, thereby strengthening the immune system of our body.

Individually Green Tea, Ginseng and Cordyceps as you can see are powerful fatigue fighters. When they are combined into a single product they join forces to create a natural nutritional health supplement so you can avoid the nasty pick me ups that have unhealthy stimulants in them.

Independent Shaklee Online Distributor
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864

Nutrirional Health Supplements - Phytonutrients

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

Phytonutrients are powerful and healthy substances to include in your diet. While technically not "nutrients" (which include carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals which are deemed essential to life), there is growing evidence that phytonutrients play a crucial role in thwarting or reducing the risk of a number of chronic ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and macular degeneration.

Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and teas are rich sources of phytonutrients. The US FDA has assigned Daily Values (DVs) for only 33 nutrients, but has not established DVs for the many hundreds of identified phytonutrients. Fruits and vegetables are indeed recommended in our diets. They are high in antioxidants, but can also contain harmful chemicals that are not so healthy. If you can't get organic produce from a known source then you can also choose nutritional health supplements that contain phytonutrients.

Phytonutrients contribute to the plant's self-defense system by protecting it from pests, viruses, bacteria and excessive sunlight. Phytonutrients are a class of health-promoting, bio-active compounds with many sub-categories. By some counts, more than 100,000 phytonutrient compounds have been identified and catalogued.

Phytonutrients are found in beta carotene in carrots, lycopene in tomatoes, isoflavone in beans, and catechin in green tea. They are most potent in raw, unprocessed vegetables. Phytonutrients are strong antioxidants that help prevent cell damage that can lead to disease. Some of the phytonutrients in grapes may also help prevent heart disease by inhibiting the build up of plaque in coronary arteries.

Studies show that foods high in glucosinolates reduce the risk of lung, stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer. Glucosinolates are so good at fighting cancer by detoxifying the liver. Studies indicate that anthocyanins may block the inflammation connected with arthritis, gastric ulcers and cardiovascular disease. In addition, anthocyanins may help normalize blood sugar levels by properly metabolizing them.

Soybeans contain phytoesterol, isoflavones, and protease inhibitors. And, each family of phytonutrients has a particular effect on biological functions. Soybeans are considered to be one of the premier sources of phyto based elements. In addition to the high levels of protein, soybeans also contain isoflavones and protease inhibitors that can enhance cardiovascular health.

Carotenoids, one class of phytonutrients, are the red, orange, and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene, the carotenoid abundant in cherries, is more efficiently converted to retinol than other carotenoids; retinol is one of the most usable forms of vitamin A. Carotenoids include yellow, orange, and red pigment in fruits and vegetables. Dark, green, leafy vegetables are rich in the carotenoid, beta carotene, but the usual yellow color is masked by the chlorophyll, the green pigment in the vegetables.

Cherries are also rich in antioxidants and have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have indicated that cherries assist in muscle repair, are good for the skin, and even lower cholesterol.

As you can see phytonutrients are a big part of the food that's available to us, if only we would just eat it. In today's fast paced lifestyle highly processed foods from the many fast food restaurants leaves us lagging in the goodness that Mother Nature intended for us to have. If that sounds like a problem that you have then the good news is you can get your phytonutrients from nutritional health supplements.

Independent Shaklee Distributor
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864

Nutritional Health Supplements - Antioxidants are Natures Gifts

Shaklee Online Distributor
David Duncan

Antioxidants are important in a healthy diet and lifestyle. Antioxidants can be found in certain foods, or you can take nutritional health supplements to get them. They are found in fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, and some meats, poultry, and fish. If you're able to eat a well balanced diet through out the day you should be able to get a really good start on your recommended antioxidant intake.

Antioxidants are substances or nutrients that are naturally present in the food we eat and they can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause damage.

Some of the most powerful antioxidant rich fruits are blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, prunes, red and black plums and apples. A really good way to consume any of these fruits is to mix up a smoothie either at home or go to one of the popular restaurants that specialize in these drinks.

Flavonoids are frequently occurring and important metabolites in plants. About 6000 different flavonoids are known to be involved in various natural processes. Flavonoids are synthesized in response to developmental and environmental signals and perform many functions in plants.

Flavonoids are phytochemicals and strong antioxidants. Flavonoids are found in a wide variety of foods; different types of flavonoids are found in different foods. For example, natural soy products are usually heavy in isoflavones and genistein; wines and some types of berries have large amounts of anthocyanidins; quercetin is found in the onion family, apples and green tea; and citrus fruits are abundant in flavanones. The nutrients that have antioxidant protective benefits belong to a diverse list of compounds and components.

Antioxidants are believed to help the body's cells resist damage caused by free radicals, formed by normal bodily processes such as breathing polluted air. Cell damage accumulates in our bodies as we get older, so nutritional health supplements and a good diet with extra antioxidant-rich foods can help slow the oxidative damage done to the cells.

Antioxidants act by 'mopping up' free radicals in cells, thereby limiting the damage they can cause. Antioxidant nutrients are known to lower the risk of heart disease. When the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, free radical damage ensues, leading to increases in LDL-cholesterol oxidation and plaque formation on arterial walls.

Flavonoids are among the best candidates for creating the protective effect of diets rich in fruits and vegetables with respect to colorectal cancer. This type of cancer is one of the major causes of death in this country. The process of heart disease is thought to be due to free radical damage. Flavonoids, such as the tea catechins found in green tea, are believed to contribute to the low rates of heart disease in Japan. Heart disease is another one of the causes of death in modern society.

Healthcare practitioners commonly recommend taking nutritional health supplements containing high quality natural antioxidants and flavonoids. If you have any concerns about your health, you should always consult with your favorite healthcare professional.

Independent Shaklee Distributor
Website: http://BestNutritionalHealthSupplements.com
Contact: David Duncan
Phone: 1-800-414-2864