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Should You Be Taking Nutritional Supplements?
Posted On 2009-09-22 , 1:53 PM
 If you are living a healthy life style and eating a balanced diet, should you be taking nutritional supplements? Simply put - YES. There has been extensive research over the past ten years in connection with the link between nutrition and health.
Scientific research into the medicinal value of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones, herbs, phytochemicals and other natural vitamin supplementation have led researchers to appreciate the health benefits of these compounds.
Americans do not consume adequate amounts of many nutrients. The American diet is deficient in nutrients and fiber and high in cholesterol, fat and preservatives.
Although inadequate intake of nutrients may not trigger disease directly, it can leave the body vulnerable to chronic conditions and disease.
There are a number of essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly and it is possible to take these in the form of nutritional supplements.
The majority of people do not have a balanced diet and they may be lacking in certain vitamins which means that they require supplemental nutrition to ensure that they do not have a deficiency of an essential nutrient.
A health professional or dietary technician is the best person to give advice on dietary supplementation an individual should take. It is advisable to seek professional advice before taking any nutritional supplements. This is because there are some vitamins that can be toxic if too much is consumed and supplementation may not be appropriate if there is enough of the vitamin already in the food a person eats.
Some groups of people may require more types of vitamin supplementation than others. Vegetarians are often deficient in certain vitamins that are only found in animal products for example, and supplemental vitamins are the ideal solution to this problem.
Vegetarians do need to be aware that some dietary supplement manufacturing processes involve animal products and it is important for them to read the labels. A large number of synthetic supplemental vitamins are available which will enable a vegetarian to take them without contradicting their dietary beliefs or needs.
Children will often need dietary supplementation, especially when they are extremely young. This is because a lot of children do not eat a sufficient variety of foods in their early years and nutritional supplements can help compensate for this natural deficiency.
Breast feeding has long been recommended as a source of all the essential nutrients but women who choose not to or are unable to bottle feed may be concerned as to whether their baby needs nutritional supplements. The large majority of baby milk formulas contain additional vitamins to prevent the need for dietary supplementation. It is important to discuss any concerns over the need for a baby or child to take nutritional supplements with a health professional to ensure that the correct solution is found.
Elderly people or those suffering from certain diseases or illnesses are another group of people that may need to take a nutritional supplement. The body may often need supplementation to compensate for a person not being able to consume the recommended daily allowance of certain vitamins through their normal diet.
Herbal supplementation provides nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes and other nutritional elements that can be deficient in a person's diet. But it is up to the individual to learn about the safety and effectiveness of herbal treatments before using them.
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Natural Healing Remedies For Varicose Veins
Posted On 2009-09-08 , 7:12 AM
 Varicose veins are weakened veins that lack the strength they once had to return the blood to the heart. Veins in the legs are the most easily affected, for they are straight down from the heart.
Blood that circulates to the legs must be pumped back up to the heart. But, veins are equipped with one way valves to prevent the blood from flowing back down the legs. When the valves are stretched or damaged they do not close properly, and the blood slips back down and pools, causing the veins to stretch out and appear blue and puffy. Thus, varicose veins.
Women experience varicose veins more so than men. Partially due to the hardships of pregnancy and childbirth. In preparation of childbirth a woman's body releases hormones that weaken the collagen and connective tissues in the pelvis to make giving birth easier. These same hormones can weaken the collagen and valves in the veins.
The cause of varicose veins is largely hereditary. If you suffer from achy, tired, listless legs here are some natural remedies that may help bring some relief.
1. Do not wear tight fitting clothes. Tight garments that are constricting keeps blood pooled in your legs.
2. Avoid standing and sitting (especially with legs crossed) for long periods of time. This could help reduce your risk of developing varicose veins. Regular exercise; such as, biking, jogging and especially walking helps to prevent and combat varicose veins once they form.
3. Wear support hose. Wearing support hose resist the blood's tendency to pool in the small blood vessels closest to the skin. Instead, the blood is pushed into the larger, deeper veins where it is easier to get the blood pumped back up to
the heart.
4. For quick relief from tired, achy legs: Slip on your support hose, lie flat on your back, lift your legs straight up in the air, resting them against a wall. Hold this position for two minutes. This will allow the blood to flow out of the swollen veins and back toward your heart. Repeat as often as you like throughout the day.
Healing varicose veins with nutrition remedies:
1. Vitamin C promotes healthy veins. It also aids circulation by reducing the chances for blood clots to form. Take 1500 milligrams daily in divided doses.
2. Zinc also promotes healthy veins. Take 15 to 30 milligrams daily.
Natural healing supplements for varicose veins:
1. A combination of ginkgo biloba and gotu kola supplements; together, these two herbs help strengthen circulation and over time should reduce the formation of new varicose veins.
2. Commission E, Germany's version of the Food and Drug Administration has reported supporting the use of horse chestnut supplements to treat varicose veins. It is believed that horse chestnut works by strengthening the cells of the capillaries.
Do you have any suggestions for relief from varicose veins?
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