nutrition

Arthritis Specials

July 31, 2010

Flaxseed: Importance Source Of Omega 3 That Can Rival Fish Oil

Omega 3 fatty acids actually have a lot of benefits. Other than the fact that it is known to be good for the heart, there are studies now which state that Omega 3 is also good for the brain. This is because there are people that say that it can help people concentrate more on what they are trying to do. It can also help people think more and just recently has shown that it can also help people become less depressed.

Flax seed is very small and can be eaten as a snack because it is quite tasty but people prefer to sprinkle the seeds on salad and food because they are similar to sesame seeds but the flax seed oil benefits are much more numerous and important!

Before, flax seed is only known to fight mild to moderate constipation and even though this is not its only benefit now, this is still proven to be true even though it is not as strong as other chemical based products that are being sold over the counter.

Flax seed is known to help fight constipation and indigestion. It can be eaten with your normal food or you can munch on it when you feel like it. Just remember that flax seed should never be heated because this will change its components.

Flax seed is actually inexpensive and can be bought in health food stores. It can be eaten as a snack or as an adornment to a meal. Some people love sprinkling flax seeds on their salad or cereal. Just remember that flax seed cannot be heated because the heat will change its natural components and it will not be beneficial anymore.

If you do not really have a lot of budget for healthy food, it is better to buy flax seed than fish oil which both contain omega 3 because you can get the same benefits for a fraction of the cost.

There are also studies now which state that omega 3 is actually good for the brain because it helps people think and concentrate better. It is recommended now that people take a daily dose of Omega 3 because like mentioned earlier, it cannot be produced by the body and since flax seed can be bought in health stores and is cheap, it is worth giving it a try.

It is not impossible to see why flax seed is the choice of people who would still want their dose of Omega 3 because it is inexpensive and easy to buy. For those who are still not including Omega 3 as a part of their diets, do try taking flax seed because it is worth it.

While debating between flax seed and fish oil you might want to look at the side effects of fish oil

Filed under Arthritis by Diedre Duffett

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July 22, 2010

Information On Vitamins We All Need

When is a person truly healthy? A lot of debates have been going on and on about this. Some people claim that eating healthy is enough but there are now studies that are surfacing stating that there are other ways that a person can do to really become physically healthy. One way by which a person can become healthier is by taking in different vitamins and supplements.

A lot of people do not realize that they are not taking enough calcium or sometimes they overlook that they need calcium in order to function properly. Calcium is good for the bones and muscles and people who would like to build their muscles are given a recommended dose of calcium to ensure their health. Calcium can be consumed by eating green, leafy vegetables and some fishes but because some people do not really eat vegetables or eat fish, it is recommended that they take Calcium vitamins or supplements.

Zinc is often ignored but it’s a very important mineral. It helps build more muscles and has been linked with better prostate health. Body builders from all over the world often take zinc supplements to make the buildup of muscles become faster.

Most people who are vain know that there are certain vitamins that they need in order to ensure that their skin will remain young looking and supple. There is a lot of vitamin E capsules being sold in the market and even though there are a lot of brands to choose from, the reason why vitamin e is being promoted is because it has a lot of anti-oxidants and this will ensure that people who take vitamin e supplements or capsules have more protection against free radicals that can cause various diseases and can make the skin age faster.

For people who are concerned with their eyes, hair and teeth, they should take more vitamin A. Vitamin A has been called the vitamin for the eyes because it can improve person’s night vision. People who use their eyes a lot of times everyday due to work can deplete the body’s vitamin A so it is recommended that people take vitamin A capsules or supplements every day.

Vitamin B12 supplements are well known to people who would like to lose some weight or build up muscles. Vitamin b12 can actually be found in dairy products and some meat but there is a possibility that a person is not really getting the enough vitamin b12 that he/she needs. Vitamin b12 is a natural fat burner and it can transform carbohydrates into energy. There are some countries in the world wherein they consume a lot of carbohydrates everyday and because carbohydrates can turn into sugar or fats, intake of vitamin b12 is recommended to lose or stabilize weight.

Another vitamin is the very popular vitamin C. Vitamin C can be found abundantly in citrus products but it is recommended that vitamin c capsules be taken every day to ensure that people will get enough of it. One of the most popular benefits of vitamin c is that it helps alleviate the impact of those afflicted by a cold. Vitamin C helps lessen the impact of the symptoms so if you have a cold you should take more vitamin C than normal. People with vitamin C deficiency often have problems with their skin and sometimes their teeth.

There are even more being advertised but if you’re main concern is the way you look physically, these are the vitamins and supplements that you would need to take. Not only will you look better, but you will also reap other benefits that will make you stronger and healthier.

Theirs a lot of information out there about vitamins, theirs even omega 3 which is from fish! The benefits of fish oil are very popular so make sure you learn more about it!

Filed under Arthritis by Jeff Gergen

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July 17, 2010

Flaxseed Oil Vs Fish Oil Information

It has been a proven fact that our body cannot produce Omega 3 fatty acids on its own and this is the reason why we have to consume foods that contain fatty acids. One source is fish oil which is already well known for having a lot of benefits for the heart and can also be used to treat different diseases.

Another source of omega-3 fatty acids is flax seed. Basically, it is not as well known as fish oil vitamins in terms of an example of a source of fatty acids but it is as effective. In fact, according to scientists, flax seed can also help our digestion to become smoother.

Ever since it has been proven that flax seed is also a source, there have been some debates among professionals and consumers about which source is a better source of Omega-3 fatty acids? Is it Fish oil or flax seed?

Even though flax seed according to studies is relatively cheaper and it contains Omega 3 fatty acids as much as fish oil does, there are some people whose bodies do not convert the ALA fatty acids to omega 3. If this is the case, experts just recommend that people take another source of omega 3.

Fish oil on the other hand contains fatty acids that do not need to be converted but then some fish oil are very expensive and this is because some fish oil have to go through a purification process called molecular distillation which will take away the other metals that come in contact with fish oil.

It has been strongly stated by professionals that if you would have to choose between flax seed and not pure fish oil, it is better to choose the flax seed because ALA can still reap benefits for the body.

It is also important for people who eat fish in their diet that they take fishes that have not preyed on smaller fishes. Do remember, that there are still other sources of Omega 3 fatty acids such as plants and nuts.

If you need more information on other healthy vitamins or supplements you definitely want to look into learning more about paba vitamins which are another source of vitamins!

Filed under Arthritis by Alexander Trem

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June 9, 2010

Reishi Extract And Inflammation

Reishi extract has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat arthritis and other forms of inflammation for over 2,000 years. Also commonly known by its Latin name as “Ganoderma,” or Chinese “Ling Zhi,” Reishi is by far the most searched medicinal mushroom on the Internet with over 200,000 searches per month. And although it may not be the panacea (“cure-all”) that some hold it to be, the fact that modern research confirms it as an inflammation modulator may help explain why it has long been heralded as such in the Orient.

Reishi frequently gets prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. Much recent research appears to validate this traditional use, as the majority of studies have yielded positive results. While looking through published articles on Reishi and arthritis, I found only two studies that showed inconclusive results, both of which were conducted by the same team of researchers. (1,2)

A U.S. based study conducted in 1993 showed that a water extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) exhibited “significant anti-inflammatory activity.” (4) Ten years later, an Indian research paper was published which stated that the use of Reishi extract helped decrease inflammation in acute edema by 56% and in chronic edema by 60%. (3) Using the “Article References” link on this page, you will find references to seven additional research articles that confirm Reishi extract as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. (5,6,7,8,9,10,11)

Next we’ll be looking at some studies that more directly relate to the use of Reishi extract with arthritis. A paper published in 2006 by Blum et al. claimed to provide supporting clinical evidence demonstrating that use of Reishi extract for joint health was both safe and effective. (12)

The same year, another study summarized findings that Reishi in combination with a Chinese herbal remedy known as San-Miao-San demonstrated a positive “immunomodulatory effect” on rheumatoid arthritis. (13)

Just how Reishi accomplishes its beneficial influence on arthritis may have been stumbled upon by Ho et al. in 2007 (14) when they discovered that GL-PP [Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide] helped to significantly reduce one of the causative agents of rheumatoid arthritis known as RASF, short for “Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts.”

Several additional papers have been published that summarize positive results in the use of Reishi against arthritis. (15,16,17) One even states that Reishi compares favorably to prednisone, albeit without side effects. (18) On the other hand, a separate study found that supplementing with Reishi helped balance the side effects of prednisolone* that were experienced by some patients, including protein in the urine and cell toxicity. (19) (Prednisolone is the active compound of prednisone, which gets broken down by the liver and converted to prednisolone.)

In conclusion, the findings of 17 out of the 19 scientific papers referenced for this article agree that Reishi can help support joint health in cases of arthritis. However, it is important to always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb for medicinal purposes, and to never change the use of existing prescription drugs without talking to your doctor about it first.

Note on name confusion: The name “Reishi” is Japanese for the perennial tree mushroom that American naturalists refer to as “Varnished Conk.” In China, it is known as “Ling Zhi.” All these names usually refer to the species Ganoderma lucidum, which for the sake of distinction from other types of Reishi may sometimes be called “Common Reishi” or “Red Reishi.”

Other species frequently referred to as Reishi include: Ganoderma tsugae (Hemlock Reishi, common on Hemlocks in Eastern U.S.), Ganoderma sinense (“Black Reishi), Ganoderma resinaceum (Red Reishi), Ganoderma japonicum (Purple Reishi) and Ganoderma neo-japonicum (no common name or simply Reishi).

Dr. Markho Rafael works as a natural health researcher and author since the mid 90′s, specializing in mycomedicinals. Click on Reishi extract for organic mushroom products and free articles on medicinal mushrooms. Reishi and Arthritis Article References

Filed under Arthritis by Dr. Markho Rafael

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March 19, 2010

Natural Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Anyone who suffers from fibromyalgia can attest to how painful this illness or syndrome can be. In case you do not know what it is or anyone who suffers from it, fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal pain disorder. As of yet, no cause or complete pharmacological cure has been identified.

Many scientists believe that diet plays a large role in the development of fibromyalgia. Their theory is that our bodies are designed to function best with a diet of vegetables and fruits, herbs, seeds, meat, water, and other natural foods. and for thousands of years these foods did form the main part of the diet. Today, however, our diets include significant amounts of sugar and sweets, white flour in our breads, fats and oils, coffee and sodas as our body’s energy sources – not to mention the cigarettes, drugs and chemicals, preservatives and other harmful substances which enter our bodies.

As a result of all this unhealthy consumption and exposure to various foods and substances, the human body responds by breaking down to some degree; for some people, ailments such as fibromyalgia develop.

While there are many options of prescriptions drugs available for the treatment for fibromyalgia, they are only designed to try to relieve the symptoms of the disease, not the underlying cause. I believe that natural cures may prove to be a lot more effective, as they will allow sufferers to start to alkalize their bodies that have been in the process of acidification for years as the result of the diet we just discussed.

Correcting the body’s imbalances through natural treatments can effectively regain the natural energy, vitality, and optimum state of health that all of us have the capacity to enjoy.

Many natural treatment for fibromyalgia have been discovered, including free form amino acids. One of the discoveries made while trying to understand fibromyalgia is that its sufferers can not process proteins they way they should. Usually proteins are broken down into amino acids which help the body to produce enzymes. These enzymes are play a role in the repair, growth, and maintenance of body tissues and assist in maintaining proper blood sugar levels, which are vital if the immune system is going to function properly.

Many fibromyalgia patients believe amino acids are the most important natural supplement to take as a means to cure their ailment. It’s important that only free form amino acids are used to treat fibromyalgia as they work immediately and don’t need to be fully digested in order to take effect.

Studies have shown that Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, a naturally occurring sulfur compound, is deficient in the bodies of fibromyalgia sufferers. While this compound is found in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, it is often destroyed when they are cooked or processed. Methyl Sulfonyl Methane has been proven to reduce pain and work as a natural anti-inflammatory. Many people claim they noticed an improvement in their health when they used this supplement.

Designed to work in conjunction, methyl sulfonyl methane and free form amino acids can be very effective natural cures for fibromyalgia when taken together.

Current research has also demonstrated that people who suffer from fibromyalgia have a vitamin D deficiency, which can cause bone and muscle pain and muscle weakness, so vitamin D supplements can improve these conditions. Vitamin D3 is the best vitamin D supplement to treat fibromyalgia.

As you can see, there are natural cures for the treatment of fibromyalgia, so you do not have to endure its pain or buy prescription drugs for the rest of your life. Many sufferers have found relief naturally, and there is hope ahead for you too.

Fibromyalgia has plagued its victims for centuries and scientists have studied it since the 1800′s, but natural cures that are instrumental in treating the root cause of fibromyalgia have been discovered only recently. Today, large numbers of sufferers are discovering that natural cures are genuinely effective for improving their health.

You have now found some natural cures for fibromyalgia that may prove to very beneficial when you are looking for an alternative to prescription drugs for treating your condition.

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia can involve an intense and complex series of testing. As a result, during the diagnosis phase it can be quite beneficial to implement fibromyalgia diets which at worse, will only improve your overall health and nutrition.

Filed under Arthritis by Stephen Paul

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