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February 20, 2009

Vitamin C Good for Arteries

by Derek Burreson

We know that vitamin C plays an important role in our body, but what kind of role? Well it's involved in at least three hundred metabolic functions including tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland functions, healthy gums as well as being an effective antioxidant against excess free radical damage. Vitamin C is essential in the formation of collagen and this helps to strengthen the cell walls of our veins, arteries and capillaries. As we age it's increasingly important to get the nutrients necessary for our bodies to function properly. Even if you are eating a healthy balanced diet our bodies may not have the ability to absorb the nutrients from the foods, so supplentation may become an important addition to your daily diet. Vitamin C also works synergistically with both vitamin E and beta-carotene, thus having an effect greater than they can individually. Our body cannot manufacture vitamin C so it must be obtained through our diet or supplementation and there are also different forms of vitamin C like ascorbic acid or an esterfied form which we will cover in a later post. Please be aware that smoking, alcohol, oral contraceptives and many medications can deplete your levels of vitamin C so be sure you are getting the proper amounts your body needs on a daily basis. The RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of vitamin C is 60-95mg. This amount may help to ward off scurvy, but many studies have shown that we need a far greater amount even up to 3000mg or more in some cases. Do a little research to determine what is right for you.

Sources:
 http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/vitamin-c-good-for-arteries.html
 Prescription for Nutritional Healing: Fourth Edition   Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/vitcrda.htm

Posted by Derek Burreson at 12:09 PM |

February 16, 2009

Cardiologists Recommend Dietary Supplements for a Healthy Heart

by Derek Burreson

A cardiologist is a physician who is certified to treat problems of the cardiovascular system—the heart, arteries, and veins. Cardiology is classified as an internal medicine subspecialty, so it's fairly safe to say they are pretty familiar with how our hearts work. New research from the “Life ... supplemented” Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study found 72 percent of U.S. cardiologists recommend dietary supplements to their patients, and more than half (57 percent) take supplements themselves. In an effort to living a healthier lifestyle, taking supplements coupled with moderate exercise and a healthy diet can go a long way toward a healthier life. As the old saying goes "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".


Sources:
www.lifesupplemented.org
www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/cardiologists-supplements-heart-health.html

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:22 PM |

February 08, 2009

Vitamin E and Free Radicals- What you should know.

by Derek Burreson

I came across another study in the Natural Products Insider that was done on vitamin E and its beneficial effects against free radicals in the body. You can read the report by clicking the link below, but what is vitamin E and how does it work? Much like vitamin C, vitamin E is a power antioxidant that protects human cells and LDL cholesterol from damage caused by free radicals. According to research, vitamin E is actually a family of eight antioxidant compounds. I will save the specifics for a later post, buy it also protects other fat-soluble vitamins from oxidative damage and aids in the utilization of vitamin A.  The recommended daily intake U.S.R.D.A. for vitamin E is about 22 IU (International Units) up to the maximum upper intake level of 1,500 IU. It is also recommended that you take the natural form of vitamin E which is listed as d-alpha-tocopherol, rrr-alpha-tocopherol, d-alpha-tocopherol-acetate or d-alpha-tocopherol succinate. The natural form of vitamin E is better absorbed by the body than the synthetic form (dl-alpha-tocopherol, all-alpha-tocopherol). Synthetic is only 67 percent as active as the natural form. So if you are currently taking a supplement that contains vitamin E, check the label to see what form it is and you are getting what you pay for.

Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing: Fourth Edition:    Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
               National Institute of Health
               Natural Products Insider
 
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/vitamin-e-fights-free-radicals.html

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:32 PM |

February 06, 2009

Phytochemicals or phytonutrients? What’s the difference?

by Derek Burreson

We have often seen these terms thrown around to mean the same thing but there is a difference. So what is a phytochemical? Simply it is a compound that is present in plants that make them biologically active. These nutrients are the ones we consume and our bodies utilize that form the foundation for our own biological processes. These compounds become phytonutrients or Nutraceuticals when they are extracted and concentrated into capsules, powders and tablets. The advantage of taking a phytonutraceutical is you can get the beneficial compounds of the plants quickly and easily as opposed to ingesting a large amount of the raw product. But, I have to say that in no way should this be a replacement for eating a good balance of fruits and veggies. There are many extra benefits to a healthy diet and you should not expect that you can utilize supplements to replace the nutrients in unhealthy eating habits. Our bodies require fuel to operate properly in the form of the food we eat. Think of our bodies as a biochemical machine, if we are not getting the proper fuel, it will not run right.
The following link to the U.S.D.A (Department of Agriculture) can help answer more questions you may have about phytonutrients.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Aboutus/docs.htm?docid=4142   

Posted by Derek Burreson at 12:57 PM |

February 04, 2009

Children & Supplements – Too Much of a Good Thing?

by Derek Burreson

The following article in Natural Products Insider as published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine brings up the question about children and supplementation and the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin. There are many discussions about children and supplements but the fact remains that vitamins, minerals, nutrients and essential fatty acids are important building blocks to a child’s development. This of course goes hand-in-hand with a balanced diet and adequate physical activity. Kids can be picky eaters so how can a parent help to ensure your kids are getting enough nutrients? A good multi may help fill the bill but remember they are called “supplements” and not “replacements”. This goes for adults as well. You cannot achieve optimal health while consuming an unhealthy diet. Balance is the key but it also helps to set a good example for your kids. As we advance in age our nutritional needs become greater especially since we may not be absorbing many of the nutrients we are ingesting. Our bodies will start to send us warning signs that we may be deficient in certain nutrients so it’s important to heed these signals and not just mask symptoms. A balanced diet, physical activity and proper supplementation to cover nutritional shortfalls is not only good for kids but adults as well. 

http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/children---supplements---too-much-of-a-good-t.html 

Posted by Derek Burreson at 10:38 AM |