Health - The Best Vitamin Supplement Brands

The Best Vitamin Supplement Brands

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1. 
   
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   Vitamins are a great way to get the nutrition you need, and then some.
   According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, over half of the adult population includes dietary supplements as part of their health rituals. Taking vitamins can be a way to complement a balanced diet, improve the performance of bodily functions and even prevent or mitigate certain conditions. It's up to you to decide which vitamins are best for you, but there are several tried-and-true brands that offer an expansive array of supplements to help keep your body feeling strong and energetic.
   

   GNC (General Nutrition Centers)

2. Ideal for athletes and bodybuilders, GNC distributes several brands of specialty supplements and foods designed specifically for physically active people. However, GNC also carries vitamins that address the concerns of everyone in the family (regardless of Olympic status). Men's health products, for instance, include formulas for promoting sexual and prostate health and preventing hair loss, while women's health options include vitamins to take during pregnancy, prevent urinary tract infections, combat aging or stay energetic throughout the day. And of course, they offer Yummi Bear vitamins and flavored formulas for kids. GNC also carries VitaPak, month-to-month daily multivitamin regimens that offer to enhance your beauty, strength and vitality.

Nature Made Vitamins

3. Nature Made doesn't just make vitamins; the company also provides comprehensive education for those seeking to improve their health through dietary supplements. Nature Made carries an expansive selection of no-frills, basic vitamins and herbs such as Vitamin C, B-complex, Fish Oil, Echinacea and Gingko Biloba. Nature Made gives you information on which vitamins you should take for your particular needs, be they weight management, sleep aids or even stress reducers. There are even vitamins for specific age groups, such as premenopausal women or men over the age of 50.

Nutrilite

4. Founded by Carl Rehnborg in 1949, Nutrilite manufactured the first multivitamin/multimineral supplement to be sold in the North American market. Nutrilite vitamins are made from phytonutrient-rich whole plant concentrates, and are produced using sustainable farming practices and distributed at the peak of freshness and potency. Their products include fruit and vegetable fibers and concentrates, carbohydrate blockers for weight loss, and their claim-to-fame multivitamin Double X, which includes alfalfa, parsley and other nutritious plant material that Rehnborg used in his earliest nutritional research.

Vita Logic

5. For those consumers who are chemical-conscious, Vita Logic supplies all-natural supplements, including vitamins, minerals and herbs, formulated with the help of board-certified doctors. Vita Logic's products are hypoallergenic, making them more tolerable for people with allergies or sensitive digestive systems. In addition to the standard selection of everyday vitamins, Vita Logic supplements include a Blood Sugar Formula for diabetics that regulates glucose and a chromium supplement that curbs sugar cravings. There are also cleansing vitamins for liver and kidney health, and for fighting yeast, fungus and bacteria.

Health - Alcohol's Effects on B12 Absorption

Alcohol's Effects on B12 Absorption

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Excessive alcohol consumption can cause irreversible neurological damage.

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Overuse of alcohol can cause health problems beyond the obvious ones such as liver disease and a weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol consumption depletes the body of essential vitamins, such as B-12, by damaging the systems that aid in the absorption process.

Intestinal Absorption

1. Excessive alcohol consumption damages the intestines and stomach. This can result in too little stomach acid or weakened villi and microvilli (tiny hairlike structures in the digestive tract) that absorb nutrients in the food you eat. When stomach acids are functioning properly, they free B-12 and allow it to be absorbed. However, when the stomach or intestines are compromised, nutrients such as B-12 pass through the body as waste without being absorbed.

Anemia

2. Pernicious anemia often afflicts alcoholics. When the body is unable to absorb vitamin B-12, it cannot make an adequate amount of blood, or the blood may be of poor quality. Thus, it begins to destroy stomach cells that aid in absorption of vitamin B-12.

Malnutrition

3. Many alcoholics or heavy drinkers replace meals with alcoholic beverages. This leads to a major loss of valuable nutrients the body needs to function. While you are drinking, your body is being depleted of B-12, and by drinking you are also preventing your body from adequately absorbing B-12 when you do ingest it, due to damage of the GI tract.

Nerves

4. After the body is deprived of B-12 for an extended period, the nervous system may become damaged if the deficiency is left untreated.

Health - Effective Vitamins for Smokers

Effective Vitamins for Smokers

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1. 
   
   Smoking image by levo from Fotolia.com 
   Vitamins can help restore essential nutrients depleted from smoking.
   Cigarette smoking can lead to devastating effects, cutting a smokers life expectancy by 10 to 12 years, according to SmokingEffects.org. It is recognized as the leading source of both preventable and premature death worldwide. Smoking also depletes the body of essential vitamins. While quitting is the best option for preventing smoking-related disease, taking certain vitamins can help combat negative effects of smoking.
   

   Vitamin E

2. One of the first lines of defense in human lung tissue against destructive smoke is vitamin E, states Maret Traber, a professor of nutrition at Oregon State University. If adequate amounts of vitamin E are present in the body, the protective antioxidant can interact with peroxyl radicals created by cigarette smoke and prevent damage of lung membranes. Vitamin E can turn into a destructive radical itself, however, without ample levels of vitamin C.

Vitamin C

3. Vitamin C, an antioxidant, allows vitamin E to remain in or return to a non-radical form and continue its protective role, according to study results from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Overall conclusions of the study determined vitamin C supplements protected plasma levels and function of vitamin E, resulting in about the same level of antioxidant protection for smokers as for nonsmokers.

Vitamin B6 and Methionine

4. Sufficient amounts of amino acids and vitamin B6 in the body can reduce the risk of lung cancer by half, even in smokers, according to researcher Paul Brennan of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Vitamin B6 helps the body break down protein and preserve red blood cells, in addition to executing other bodily functions. Methionine aids vitamin B metabolism. A study funded by the World Cancer Research Fund concluded people in the uppermost group for B vitamin levels had a 56 percent less chance of incurring lung cancer than those in the lowest group. People with the highest methionine levels had a 48 percent reduced risk.

Antioxidants

5. Antioxidants aid in cellular damage prevention. Additional antioxidant supplements such as folic acid and thiamin may combat some of the effects of smoking.

Multivitamin

6. Daily multivitamins contain nutrients supporting proper bodily function. When choosing a multivitamin, though, smokers should avoid products containing high levels of beta-carotene. Although an essential component of a healthy diet for non-smokers, beta-carotene increases the risk of lung cancer among smokers and former-smokers.

Health - Fruits & Vegetables That Are Fattening

Fruits & Vegetables That Are Fattening

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1. 
   
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   Avocados are a high fat fruit.
   If you are on a low-fat diet, you may think that you can eat as many fruits and vegetables as you like. Unfortunately, there are many fruits and vegetables that contain higher levels of fat and may be fattening if eaten in excess. It is helpful to know which fruits and vegetables have higher fat contents.
   

   Olives

2. Olives are a high-fat fruit that is typically pressed to release the olive oil, which is used in salad dressing and in cooking. Five medium-sized olives contain 9 grams of monounsaturated fat, which is known to be a heart-healthy type of fat. When pressed, the oil can be collected into bottles. Olives and olive oil are commonly used in Mediterranean cooking.

Avocados

3. Avocados are a tropical fruit that is very high in monounsaturated fat, containing about 20 to 30 grams of fat per medium-sized avocado. Although very high in fat, avocados are high in nutrients such as vitamin K, potassium and folate. Avocados can be eaten by themselves, mashed into guacamole for dipping or added to smoothies or baked goods.

Soy Beans

4. Soy beans are a high-fat vegetables that ar commonly used as a meat and dairy substitute. Containing 6 grams of fat per serving, soy beans can be transformed into a wide variety of foods, including tofu, vegetarian burgers, vegan cheeses and soy ice cream.

Coconuts

5. Coconuts contain about 60 grams of fat per 15 gram serving. Although the fat in coconut is considered saturated, the composition of the fat is different than animal fat and reacts healthfully when ingested as opposed to saturated animal fat. Coconut flesh, coconut oil and coconut milk can be used in baking, cooking and can be turned into yogurt and ice cream.

Health - Super Heart Foods

Super Heart Foods

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1. 
   
   heart check image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com 
   Some foods provide nutrition as well as protection from heart disease.
   In his book "Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future," David Wolfe describes super foods as "foods that have a dozen or more unique properties... both a food and a medicine". Foods with omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fiber and phytosterols support heart health, energy and well-being. Foods that reduce LDL cholesterol, add fiber, reduce weight, protect against diabetes and keep you full longer protect against heart disease.
   

   Salmon

2. Salmon as a source of protein is low in calories and high in omega-3 fatty acids that protect heart health. A 2007 American Journal of Health System Pharmacy study and a 2007 Journal of Nutrition study showed health benefits of omega-3 fatty acid consumption either through supplements or fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of coronary artery disease by reducing triglycerides (fatty material in the blood that clogs arteries), heart rate, blood pressure and atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. They also support the immune system and protect against cancer.

Blueberries

3. Blueberries' heart health benefits include the antioxidant effects from high levels of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals protect against heart disease and diabetes by reducing or avoiding accumulations of belly fat, reducing high cholesterol, high blood sugar and triglycerides. Blueberries help the body manage and maintain blood sugar levels and insulin use. Blueberries have a healthy effect on individuals regardless of high-fat or low-fat diets.

Oatmeal

4. Oatmeal's low calories and healthy fiber help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of diabetes which is a risk factor for heart disease, and help with weight loss by filling the stomach and keeping you feeling full longer. Oatmeal is a whole grain, adding fiber, recommended by the American Dietetic Association.

Spinach

5. Spinach is a source of antioxidant vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, K, folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and fiber. The folate in spinach reduces artery-damaging proteins in the blood, vitamin A in spinach protects against eye disease and is good for vision and the antioxidant vitamins in spinach prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries that leads to heart disease. Spinach also contains flavonoids and carotenoids, which reduce the risk of cancer.

Almonds

6. Substituting nuts for high-fat proteins reduces the risk of heart disease. Substituting 1/2 cup of almonds for a serving of meat daily or at least three times per week can help reduce and maintain weight without forfeiting essential protein. Almonds are low in calories and are a good source of fiber, vitamin E, phytochemicals, calcium and iron.

Health - Things You Must Do to Gain Weight

Things You Must Do to Gain Weight

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1. 
   
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   Helpful ways to pack on the pounds
   While a large part of books and websites is devoted to losing weight, many people find themselves wanting to gain, rather than lose. Adding weight can help you feel better about yourself. If you are underweight, putting on weight produces health benefits. Eating is the best way to put on weight, so you need to be familiar with the best foods for weight gain.
   

   Balanced Meals

2. Consume meals that include a balance of 60-70 percent carbs, 10-15 percent proteins and a small percentage of unsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Types of Food to Eat

3. Eat foods higher in calories, vitamins and minerals rather than targeting high fat or high sugar foods.

Packed Calories

4. Consume calories packed with nutritional value. For instance, you could add cheese or nonfat dried milk to eggs, casseroles or soup, or add grated eggs to mashed potatoes.

Filling Up Too Fast

5. Try portions of high-calorie foods if you tend to fill up fast. For example, eat raisins rather than grapes, or granola rather than cornflakes. To further prevent filling up too fast, limit beverage consumption until a half hour before or after your meal.

Snacks

6. Snack in between meals on nuts, dried fruits and yogurt. Eat a snack before bedtime, perhaps a peanut butter sandwich. You may find it easier to eat five to six small meals rather than three large ones. If you do this, you still will need a lot for snacking.

Health - Good Healthy Sources of Protein

Good Healthy Sources of Protein

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1. 
   
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   Beans offer a healthy source of protein.
   Protein is essential to human life, according to MayoClinic.com, and 10 to 35 percent of your calorie intake should come from it. This is approximately 50 to 175 grams of protein each day. There are two kinds of protein, complete and incomplete. Generally speaking, animal sources of protein contain all the essential amino acids our body requires, but other sources may not. Therefore, especially if you are vegetarian, aim for variety in your diet.
   

   Chicken and Turkey

2. The white meat from chicken and turkey provides an excellent source of protein. Steer clear of the darker meat because it is higher in fat. Also, remove the skin from the chicken before eating, as this also is extremely fat-laden.

Dairy Products

3. Skim milk and low-fat cheese and yogurt provide good, healthy sources of lean protein as well as helping meet your calcium needs, according to WebMD.

Beef

4. As long as you choose lean beef, you have a great source of protein with little unsaturated fat that is also high in zinc, iron and vitamin B12.

Soy

5. Soybeans are a good source of protein and an excellent alternative to red meats, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. In fact, they are the only plant food that MedlinePlus considers a complete protein. Aim to eat between two to four servings per week. There is also some evidence to suggest that soy may help mitigate some of the symptoms of menopause.

Seafood

6. This is an excellent source of protein. In fact, it is one of the best foods for children, active adults and the elderly because of its many health benefits, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
   
   
   
   Choose oil-rich fish such as mackerel and sardines for a protein-rich food that is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Whole Grains, Beans and Legumes

7. Beans, whole grains and legumes all provide excellent sources of protein as well as fiber, minerals and vitamins. You can find whole grains in whole-grain cereal, oatmeal, brown rice and popcorn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Eggs

8. Eggs are packed full of protein and all eight essential amino acids, according to the BBC website. Include them as part of a balanced diet but try not to eat more than one a day.

Nuts

9. Nuts are good sources of protein, fiber and minerals, according to the Weight-control Information Network. They also contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries.

Health - Foods to Increase Thyroid Function

Foods to Increase Thyroid Function

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1. 
   
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   Seafood Contains Iodine Which is Needed by the Thyroid to Function.
   The thyroid is a bow-tie shaped gland that sits in the front of your neck below the larynx. Without it, your body cannot process iodine, which gets converted into thyroid hormones. Since the thyroid is responsible for your metabolism, it plays a critical role in energy production and affects every cell. According to Mayo Clinic, if thyroid medication is prescribed, there are certain foods that you need to avoid such as walnuts and soybean flour. Although Mayo Clinic does not advise that foods can improve thyroid function, alternative medicine practitioners and some nutritionists believe they can.
   

   Vegetables

2. Women to Women's website states that vitamins A and C are antioxidants that can support your thyroid gland. Vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash, and collard greens contain vitamin A. According to Leslie K. Kay, a registered dietician and researcher who has written a continuing education course on nutrition therapy for Nutrition Dimension, antioxidants may lower inflammation in the body. Also, vitamin A deficiency may be a cause of a low-functioning thyroid.

Foods with Zinc

3. A lack of zinc in the diet is also associated with a poorly-functioning thyroid gland. Your body needs zinc to produce thyroid hormones. Oysters have the most zinc (76.7 milligrams per serving) according to the National Institutes of Health's office of dietary supplements. Free-range beef and chicken contain high amounts of zinc. Other shellfish (besides oysters), beans and seeds provide smaller amounts.

Seafood

4. According to Women to Women's website, the thyroid cannot do its job of turning iodine into specific hormones if you have completely eliminated iodized salt or iodine-containing foods. Iodine-rich foods include kelp, nori, oysters, sardines, salmon and clams. Most seafood has some iodine.

Molasses

5. Blackstrap molasses is high in iron. Not only is iron necessary for thyroid function, according to Women to Women, but it prevents anemia. Anemia coupled with low thyroid function can zap all your energy and make fatigue symptoms worse.

Radishes

6. Radishes are from the cabbage family. This family of vegetables have phytochemicals (contain active healing compounds). Some nutritionists state that radishes contain an active compound that naturally slows down thyroid function. This is helpful if your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism).

Health - List of Foods High in Iodine

List of Foods High in Iodine

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1. 
   
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   Iodine occurs naturally in many common foods.
   According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), certain areas have "iodine-poor soil" resulting in iodine deficiencies that enlarge the thyroid gland, known as "colloidal goiters." The United States uses iodized salt to reduce the deficiency. Central Asia, the Andes region of South America and central Africa still have the problem.
   
   
   
   With an increase in salt-reduction diets, it is easy to get iodine from natural food sources rather than salt. The RDA is only 150 micrograms for adults.
   

   Sea Vegetables

2. 
   
   kelp at aquarium image by Daniel Gillies from Fotolia.com 
   Kelp is the highest source of iodine.
   The most common sea vegetable that is high in iodine is kelp. A quarter cup contains 415 mcg so only a very small amount needs to be added to your favorite recipes to get what you need.
   

   Low-Fat Yogurt

3. 
   
   yogurt with cherries image by Elke Dennis from Fotolia.com 
   Yogurt makes a refreshing and healthy desert.
   Low-fat yogurt is the second best choice for iodine. It contains 87 mcg in just one cup. This is half the RDA for adults and can be eaten plain, mixed with fruit, added into a salad dressing, or as a part of other delicious recipes.
   

   2 % Milk

4. 
   
   milk and cookies image by Kelly Kane from Fotolia.com 
   Milk is a great accompaniment to cookies or any snack.
   One cup of 2 % milk gives you a third of your daily requirement of iodine. It provides 58 mcg.
   

   Boiled Eggs

5. 
   
   eggs image by DebbieO from Fotolia.com 
   Eat the egg right out of the shell.
   One boiled egg has 24 mcg of iodine. This is one-sixth of your iodine need for the day.
   

   Strawberries

6. 
   
   summer strawberries image by Shabnum Rinth from Fotolia.com 
   Strawberries are a delicious summer treat or any time of the year.
   One cup of strawberries has 13 mcg of iodine. You could eat 10 cups to get you daily requirement, but more realistically, you can add them to yogurt, in a salad with hard boiled eggs, or whipped up in a strawberry milkshake, for example.
   

   Part-Skim, Shredded Mozzarella

7. 
   
   poutine image by NSfotogyrl from Fotolia.com 
   Melt it over pasta or vergetables.
   One ounce of part-skim, shredded mozzarella cheese adds 10 mcg of iodine to any salad.
   

   Fish

8. 
   
   fish image by arthur luhnev from Fotolia.com 
   Fish may have iodine but the amount varies.
   Fish can be a source of iodine, but the amount is variable depending on where the fish comes from based on the feeding grounds.

Health - Induction Foods List

Induction Foods List

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1. 
   
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   Protein-rich foods like steak are favorites of those on low-carb diets.
   The induction phase of the popular low-carbohydrate diet plan called the Atkins Diet is designed to limit the intake of glucose. When the body does not have glucose, which is found in carbohydrate-rich foods, it begins to use stored fats as an energy source. As a result, foods that are part of the induction phase tend to be low in carbohydrates and high in protein.
   

   Proteins

2. 
   
   chicken lean meat image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com 
   Chicken is a good source of protein.
   Protein and fat sources such as poultry, fish, red meat, shellfish and eggs are suggested during the induction phase. Atkins, for instance, recommends consuming 4-6 ounces of protein rich food at each meal, including breakfast. Trimming the fat away from the meat is not necessary. Acceptable fish include trout, salmon and tuna. Chicken, pheasant, quail and turkey are recommended poultry sources. Other meat sources include bacon, beef, lamb and pork.
   

   Fat sources

3. 
   
   Olive Oil image by elmgrover from Fotolia.com 
   Olive oil is among those recommended for Atkins Diet followers.
   Fat sources such as butter, mayonnaise and oils are also acceptable foods. Butter, olive oil, safflower oil, canola oil and mayonnaise are all among those safe to eat during the induction phase. Atkins recommends using 1 tablespoon of oil on salads or vegetables.
   

   Vegetables

4. 
   
   mushrooms image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com 
   Mushrooms can be added to a salad to keep it lively but low-carb.
   Although the induction stage is a feature of a low-carbohydrate diet, some carbohydrates are acceptable. A sum of 20 grams of carbohydrates can be consumed each day. Acceptable sources include salad greens and vegetables. Carbohydrates from pastas, bread, grain or starchy vegetables such as potatoes are not allowed. Salad greens that fall underneath the guidelines of the Atkins diet include peppers, romaine lettuce, celery, bok choy, mushrooms, iceberg lettuce and several other choices. Limited amounts of vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, eggplant, asparagus and okra are also permitted.

Health - Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

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Sweet potatoes, which are native to Central America, have been consumed for over 10,000 years. Though most commonly associated with the annual Thanksgiving feast, sweet potatoes have a number of health benefits that justify adding them to your diet year-round.

From Essentials: Beta-Carotene 101

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  Foods That Contain Beta Carotene
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  Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
  

  
  
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Vitamins and Nutrients

1. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of a number of different vitamins and nutrients. These include vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, iron, manganese, potassium and dietary fiber.

Beta-Carotene

2. Sweet potatoes contain as much beta-carotene (in the form of vitamin A) as carrots. Beta-carotene is associated with the prevention of cancer, heart disease, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. The darker the flesh of the sweet potato, the more beta-carotene it contains.

Carotenoids

3. Sweet potatoes contain carotenoids in the form of beta-carotene. Carotenoids are associated with stabilizing blood sugar and lowering insulin resistance.

Antioxidants

4. Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants. These substances help remove free radicals from the body, protecting cells from damage and repairing damaged cells.

Preparing Sweet Potatoes

5. The most nutritious way to prepare sweet potatoes is to roast or bake them. Boiling sweet potatoes results in a significant loss of vitamins and nutrients. Eating the skin of conventionally grown sweet potatoes is not recommended because it may contain dyes or waxes. Organic sweet potatoes can be eaten whole. (Be sure to scrub clean the sweet potato's skin before cooking regardless of type.)