Vitamin C - Articles - Zimbio

The Pill Vitamin Versus Liquid Vitamin

Tue, 11 Jul 2007 14:17:00 GMT

posted by tanyusha
In recent years, a number of companies have introduced liquid vitamin supplements, some of them claiming that these products far outperform the traditional vitamin pill. While some companies took their claims too far (and were charged accordingly), the debate continues as to which type of vitamin is the most effective.

The main advantage of a liquid supplement is the speed and ease of absorption by the body. Since there is no need to break down a solid, the vitamins are absorbed immediately. Liquid fans also claim that the absorption rate is much higher, making the supplements more effective.

There are also those who hate swallowing big vitamin pills or simply can't swallow them due to a medical condition. For instance, people who have had gastric bypass surgery find it hard to keep a pill down. Throat surgery can also make swallowing solids painful. For people like this, liquid vitamins are the only viable option.

But liquid supplements have their drawbacks. One of the main problems is that the vitamins and minerals do not keep their potency as well in liquid form. That means that the liquids have a shorter shelf life than pills.

There are also enzymes contained in some vitamin tablets that aid in the absorption of the nutrients. These enzymes can't be included in liquid vitamins because they only last for a day or so in liquids. While with pills, the enzymes retain their effectiveness for the entire shelf life of the products.

The claim of faster and more complete absorption of liquids is also challenged by some experts. While it's true that we digest liquids more quickly than solids, this does not necessarily lead to a more effective product.

The most effective place for vitamin absorption is at the beginning of the small intestine. There are some claims that much of the contents of liquid vitamins is destroyed by stomach acids before it even gets this far. Pills, meanwhile, are coated to keep them from dissolving completely before they reach the small intestine.

While we live in a world where immediate effects are usually considered a good thing, their relevance for vitamins is questionable. After all, our bodies don't suddenly have vitamin emergencies. If one vitamin supplement is absorbed into our systems an hour sooner than another, it's unlikely to have any noticeable effect on our overall health.

When it comes to our health, nobody likes to guess what is best. But until enough time has passed to show for certain whether there is a difference between the effects of liquid and tablet vitamins, you'll simply have to go with the one that makes the most sense for you. As long as you are focused on a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, the format of your vitamin supplement shouldn't be a critical decision.

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

Nutritional Supplements: Are They for You?

Sat, 22 Jul 2007 13:50:00 GMT

posted by tanyusha
By: Brue Baker

When deciding whether you need or want to take nutritional supplements, there are a few things you should know first. First of all, you should know what vitamins and minerals can do for you, and what they cannot.

Many people think if they take vitamins, minerals and other forms of nutritional supplements that they can eat anything they want and not have to worry about an otherwise balanced diet.

First, vitamins and minerals in any form can't replace food, so you still have to eat properly to obtain the necessary proteins, carbohydrates and sugars that your body needs for optimal functioning. While vitamins and minerals don't contain calories, they don't provide energy either.

Nutritional supplements should never be substituted for nutrients found in foods either. Many people don't realize that our bodies don't manufacture vitamins or minerals, even though our body systems need them to survive on a molecular level. The only way we get enough of these essential ingredients is through a properly balanced diet, at times enhanced with supplements.

You can compare the necessity of vitamins and minerals to the spark plugs in your car. If they're not firing just right, your car will still run, but not smoothly or to the best of its capacity. Nutritional supplements offer the same benefits to the workings of the human body. You can't see them, but they are a vital component to the workings of everything in your body, from cell structures to organ systems.

For those who eat a properly balanced diet, it may not be necessary to take vitamin and mineral supplements. But let's be honest. These days, who eats properly all the time? Considering that we get a bulk of those vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables, and that most people don't eat enough of either, it's important to ingest supplements in order to prevent health problems that begin through poor nutrition.

A vitamin or mineral deficiency in your body can cause all sorts of problems, from acne to disease processes. Those who smoke or drink also need increased vitamins and minerals to counteract the damage caused by alcohol or nicotine. Young children experiencing growth spurts need proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to ensure bone health, muscle growth and organ tissue development. Older people need to replenish stores of vitamins and minerals that their bodies don't process so well any more, and everyone in between needs to maintain proper levels of nutritional components to provide optimal health benefits.

Most vitamin and mineral supplements come in a variety of forms, from capsules to tablets to gel-caps. Some are big, some are small, but to be honest, most of them smell and taste funny. However, most people take them with juice or water, but always read the labels to make sure you are following dosage and dietary instructions, as some should be taken on a full stomach, others on an empty one.

There are a number of popular nutritional supplement brands out there, and when considering any of them, it's a good idea to know and understand what vitamins and minerals are, what they do for your body, and to determine if the brand you choose will deliver the product that you are paying for. Take the time to research national nutritional supplement brands, don't believe everything you read, and above all, when in doubt, ask your primary care provider for advice.

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

Make Weight Loss Permanent

Sat, 20 Jan 2008 09:30:00 GMT

posted by pumpkinjumper
Weight loss can be difficult because many take the approach of starve the body and eat less calories to lose pounds. This works at first, so you drop a quick seven or eight pounds. But once you go back to eating, your body thinks it needs to store fat in case it gets starved again. You tend to just put back on those eight pounds and then some, for added insurance against future starvation.

So what can you do to lose weight and keep it off? First and foremost you must provide your body with the nutrients it needs for proper function. Even if you eat plenty of calories each day, if those calories are not nutrient rich, you are in essence starving your body. That is why you gain weight, and have a hard time losing weight.

So, to lose weight and keep it off requires whole lifestyle changes which will have other health benefits as well. These lifestyle changes should be gradual, or they will not stay in effect for long. So, let's look at some easy changes that are not hard to maintain:

Take nutritional supplements. This will ensure that your body is getting the right things, so that when it gets the wrong things it does not immediately store them as fat. The best way to fill in the nutrient gaps in your diet, without having to change your diet as a whole, or start a whole new lifestyle is to drink one to two cans of Zija daily.

What is Zija? Zija is a health beverage that is made from the most nutrient rich portions of the Moringa oleifera plant. The Moringa oleifera plants is absolutely power-packed with nutrients and minerals, including Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Flourine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Potassium, Osidum, Selenium, Sulfur and Zinc, Vitamins A, B, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Folic Acid, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and vitamin E. You will get over 90 vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients with a single can of Zija. Zija is all natural, and can benefit you as much as the plant itself. It does not contain a bunch added preservatives like those found in many "health beverages." Zija is formulated to retain the absorbability and bioavailablity you would get if you ate the plant directly.

Try and cut all sugar out of the diet at least for a few weeks. This is probably the most difficult thing for most people to do, but if it can be accomplished the results will be amazing. Not only will you be able to keep weight off, but your body will perform better as well. Your blood sugar levels will be maintained and not fluctuate and cause dips and spikes of energy. You will live an all-around happier life. To make this easier, try grabbing an apple before a cookie, and pretty soon you will find that your body prefers the apple, and your cravings for sugar will start to subside. Make it a gradual process, and you will be far more successful. Also, do not get too discouraged should you fail occasionally, just recommit yourself and start again.

Implement exercise into your daily routine. This does not mean you have to go out and purchase an expensive gym membership. It means try to be more active throughout the day. Becoming more active will speed up your metabolism, so not only will you be less prone to snacking on junk, you will also burn fat faster. Just think of it this way. If you went for a walk for a half an hour instead of sitting watching a half hour TV program each day, you would eat less (most people crave snacks and junk while watching TV because of advertisements and other factors), and your body will begin to look and feel healthier.

Weight loss is simple if you implement the right changes, do not starve your body of nutrients, and work at controlling binges.

By Eric Thorn

About the Author: Eric Thorn, a successful businessman, highly recommends the Zija Moringa Beverage as a way to get the nutrients that your body needs without a whole lifestyle change. Visit http://www.zijapower.com to learn more about Zija.

Have a computer? Have computer questions? Search for a solution on my tech blog Bauer-Power.net

Maintain Optimum Heart Health: Top 10 Heart Healthy Must Have Vitamins, Supplements and Food

Sat, 9 Dec 2007 02:09:00 GMT

posted by healthybeing

Cardiovascular disease is a huge problem in American Society. Awareness is key as is a change in diet and exercise patterns. Family history, genetics and habits are very important when assessing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. My mother's family has a history of heart attacks, congestive heart failure as well as high cholesterol levels.

There are 10 easy ways to change habits and diets in a way that will positively impact heart health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

1. Diet high in Fiber (35-40g) and low in processed foods

2. Rich Multi-Vitamin with Selenium

3. Folic Acid & B6 Daily Supplements

4. Bananas

5. Omega 3 Oils (Flax, Canola, Fish)

6. A glass of red wine at dinner

7. Diet rich in bioflavinoids

8. Oatmeal for Breakfast

9. Apririn

10. CoQ10 (ubiquinone)

Awareness and education are supremely important as you learn how to keep your heart working and decrease your risk factors for cardiovascular disease and heart probles.

I am a huge fan of Dr. Oz and his book Healing From the Heart He explains the value of complementary therapies such as hypnosis, guided imagery, massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, music therapy, prayer, yoga, and energy medicine, detailing studies and case histories of their use in combination with the latest surgical techniques. Healing From The Heart is a must-read for all who suffer from illness, particularly heart and surgery patients, and their loved ones.

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To your health! ~Melissa www.healthybeingproducts.com

How to Choose the Best Multivitamins for You

Thu, 23 Feb 2007 16:15:19 GMT

posted by nibarra

Nowadays, one can get a vitamin supplement for any ailment, any deficiency - eyes, heart, brain, allergies, skin disorder, vitality, cardiovascular problems, sex related, even weight management. You just have to name the problem – and the chemist will probably put you in a fix on which one to take.
But before buying one, it is crucial to read the labels on these supplements, because many daily vitamins may be lacking in the basic key nutrients essential for overall health.
The best way to choose a multi-vitamin is to look for:
· Quantity of nutrient being provided. Look for 100% of the Daily Recommended Allowance of minerals and vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folic acid, and D. Plus at least 20 micrograms of vitamin K, for strong bones.
· Quality of the vitamin being provided. Its best to go for one with no added colours, flavours, preservatives.
· Form – whether well packaged, free of moisture etc.
· Date of expiry.
A good multivitamin is not a magical pill to solve all your problems – but will give you a guarantee that one is getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals needed for maintaining good health.
Who are more likely to need multivitamin supplements?
Persons over the age of 60 as they do not get all the nutrients they need. This can be due to a variety of causes such as ageing itself may make the absorption and utilization of certain nutrients more difficult.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers – This group of people need about 400 IU of folic acid daily, which can be from a multivitamin. Folic acid found in supplements is better absorbed by the body than the vitamin found naturally in food.
Pre-menopausal women - need extra amount of iron, Vitamin B12 and calcium, so as to prevent problems like osteoporosis in old age.
Weight-watchers and persons who are heavy alcoholics
Any person who is short of a balanced diet - a diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and small servings of chicken or fish is sort of a balanced diet. So, check out your daily diet. Are you falling short of folic acid, B6, and B12 as they help lowering homocysteine levels in the blood and thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Precautions while taking a multi vitamin
Some basic caution is required before taking multivitamins, especially if any medical conditions exist, such as pregnancy or if aged.
Multivitamins may rarely be toxic unless large doses of various vitamins or minerals are taken.