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We’ve all had stress at one point in our life or another. There are some types of stress that are healthy and beneficial to life. Unfortunately, the majority of the stress we encounter in today’s world is destructive and may even help to shorten our lives.

According to a study done at Duke University’s Medical center and reported to the American Journal of Cardiology, a link can be found between an “aggressive” personality and the likelihood of death in people younger than age 61 who currently have heart disease. If you can’t find a way of managing stress properly, it will help to kill you.

There are several tools available nutritionally for stress management. Some vitamin supplements give natural stress relief and bring body balance when stress saps your energy. Some natural sources for managing stress are foods, herbs, and some from nutritional supplements.

Stress Management with Food

When thinking of managing stress in the body and food sources, the key is maintaining a balance between the many chemicals within the body that control mood.

Serotonin is a chemical released within the body that works to control mood.

Overall, when stressed, depending on what your activity level it can be a good idea to eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. These help to release serotonin into the body and elevate mood. Some good food sources of complex carbohydrates include broccoli, potatoes, squash, and brown rice.

In addition, you should likely look to increase your consumption of B vitamins in food as the B vitamins are essential in stress management. Foods high in B vitamins include asparagus, beets, soybeans and spinach.

Finally, including tryptophan in the diet is important in maintaining a balance of serotonin levels in the body and stress management. Foods rich in tryptophan include poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.), eggs and nuts

For more information on foods rich in stress reduction properties, visit the food and stress page at http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hk/remedies/disp/1,1459,516,00.html - Whole Health MD.com

Natural Stress Relief with herbs

One of the biggest “stars” of the herb world relative to stress management has become St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort has been shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate depression in clinical trials conducted in Europe.

St. John’s Wort acts much the same as some medicinal serotonin inhibitors such as Prozac. St. John’s Wort helps to balance serotonin levels in the body. This leads to an overall elevation in mood.

The biggest concern about St. John’s Wort is its possible interaction with other drugs and/or supplements. The use of St. John’s Wort should be discussed with a physician or health professional before beginning a course of stress management therapy.

Another herbal remedy for natural stress relief is chamomile. Chamomile has a sweet apple-like fragrance-in fact, it’s name comes from the Greek kamai melon which translates to “ground apple”. Chamomile can be taken as a supplement but is likely a better tool for natural stress relief as a hot tea.

While the herb “kava-kava” has been promoted as a possible herbal remedy for natural stress relief, the U.S. FDA has issued a warning about the possible effects of this herb on the liver. Please read the article http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/addskava.html here.

Stress Reduction with natural supplements

When choosing natural supplements for managing stress, it’s a good idea to look at those natural supplements which directly combat stress.

The B-Complex of vitamins is a great place to start. All of the B-Complex of vitamins are important in managing stress and elevating mood. While you can take them individually for a variety of issues, for managing stress, it’s beneficial to take a B-Complex tablet which includes all of the vitamins in the B-Complex.

In general, natural stress relief is possible in many ways by the foods we eat, by herbal remedies and even by natural supplements. By learning how to properly incorporate natural stress relief elements into our diet, we can achieve stress reduction and live a happier life.

This has been a short overview of a few methods to use for managing stress naturally and nutritionally. For more information, please visit the reference sources listed below.

References

Chamomile: Herb Profile and Information - http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chammo49.html

UK Health And Nutrition Information - Depression
http://www.healthandnutrition.co.uk/articles/depression.htm

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Treatment of Depression
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/

Stress Management, Diet, Food and Stress-Controlling Stress by Diet, Food, Nutrition
http://www.holistic-online.com/stress/stress_diet.htm

Hostility may speed death from heart disease
http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/115569.cfm

Ben Douglas is the webmaster for VitaminFan.com. VitaminFan.com is an internet portal with independant information and resources on vitamins, nutrition and overall health. VitaminFan.com is a site by vitamin “laypeople” specifically geared to the needs of nutrition consumers. Please visit VitaminFan.com at http://www.vitaminfan.com.

Enzymes are intriguing in their ability to help elevate the level of human health and wellbeing. Enzymes are proteins that are an essential part of the environment. Life itself, without enzymes would be impossible. Enzymes are required for all chemical processes that enable life to be possible. There are no vitamins, hormones or minerals that can exercise their valuable effects within the body while the participation of enzymes is lacking. Notwithstanding their essential role in all physical functions, it is recently become fully appreciated what the complete significance of enzymes in human physical condition and ailments is. The MUCOS Pharma Company has been a pioneer in the area of systemic enzyme treatment. They have been an example to others for the last half century by having smoothed the path to clarify the utility of enzymes, and their uses as an oral systemic treatment.

The question has been posed: Why does Wobenzym work so effectively? The answer resides in the realization of the type of enzymes that Wobenzym is made from. The enzymes are called proteolytic enzymes; these are enzymes which cuts other proteins around it. When the body is in its normal physiological state, these proteolytic enzymes sustain homeostasis within the healthy body; in addition they break down abnormal proteins that can occur during a variety of diseases. Therefore, in fundamental research and numerous clinical trials that have been performed over the course of many years under the patronage of MUCOS Pharma, Wobenzym has been discovered to cause the degradation of detrimental and atypical immune complexes which can precipitate a range of autoimmune diseases. In addition, immune complexes can also clot the blood, which can possibly activate an assortment of diseases. These studies are a matter of public domain, and may be readily retrieved.

As researchers continue to gain knowledge of the correlation between enzymes and good health, larger numbers of physicians are recommending Wobenzym for a variety of ailments. It’s a straightforward piece of information that systemic enzymes are necessary to our health. Systemic enzymes are utterly indispensable in order to keep your body in good health and as an aide to an active lifestyle. Your body utilizes systemic enzymes to realign the inflammatory system reaction and modify repair processes to help your body to recuperate from injury and sickness. You are fortunate because you are able to restock your supply with the enzymes that occur naturally which are ingredients of Wobenzym.

The areas in which Wobenzym is recommended are: for healthy joints, to improve mobility, to make circulation more robust, to increase the healthy aging process, utilized to normalize inflammation and to help with recuperation from sports injuries. Unlike other medicinal items that are available, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which proffer rapid but momentary solutions, Wobenzym enables your body to restore itself to health. Of all the products that are currently available Wobenzym is the most meticulously researched systemic enzyme supplement in order to ensure the continuation of your good health.

All wobenzym information has been researched and written by Juliette Pickup
Wobenzym

I’m going to give you 5 practical tips to turn your body into a fat-burning machine - information that you can take with you and implement on a daily basis, both in and out of the gym or workout environment. Rather than quantify specific amounts, I’ll be giving you some simple ideas. Let’s get right to it:

Eat Fiber
A high-fiber diet decreases fat and cholesterol absorption in your intestine (preventing fat storage), slows glucose absorption in the bloodstream (meaning more sugar gets burnt as energy, less gets stored as fat), stabilizes insulin levels and delays stomach emptying (both of which decrease your appetite), and makes you full faster (so you eat less). Research has shown that a low-fat, high-fiber diet results in nearly three times more weight loss than a low-fat, low-fiber diet. So how do you get your fiber? Here’s how I get mine: 1 fully loaded salad, 1 bowl of oatmeal, and 2-3 raw fruits every day (fruit bonus: vitamin C in citrus fruit can also help burn fat).

Eat Calcium
Research shows that three or four daily servings of low-fat dairy products can help reduce body fat. Higher levels of calcium stored in the fat cells may help enhance fat breakdown, as well as induce an increase in thermogenesis (the body’s core temperature). The best calcium should come from dairy products like low-fat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese (and not from a calcium supplement). Other good sources, especially for those who are lactose intolerant, include dark leafy vegetables, salmon, almonds, and oats (notice the extra fiber bonus).

Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies have shown that people who include a large and healthy breakfast in their diet lose significantly greater amounts of fat than those who avoid breakfast. Skipping breakfast will not help you shed extra pounds, but may instead result in muscle loss and metabolism decreases, both of which hinder your fat-burning ability. A great breakfast example is a large glass of water with a bowl of oatmeal, fresh fruit and nuts. Just remember: breakfast can also work against you if it’s not healthy…fried meats, sweet muffins and croissants, sugar loaded cereals, or processed packages do not count as a healthy breakfast!

Eat Frequently
You’ve heard it a million times before: 5-6 small meals a day is better than 3 large meals. I’d like to step that up a bit: as high as 10 times a day or more may be necessary, depending on your energy consumption and needs. Here’s an example (from my personal nutrition log): 1) banana 7am; 2) oatmeal w/ raisins 9am; 3) handful almonds 10:30am; 4) three turkey slices 12pm; 5) one yogurt 1 pm; 6) apple 2pm; 7) large salad 4:30pm; one protein bar 7:00pm; 9) handful raisins 8:15pm; 10) 1 scramble egg with spinach 9pm (bed at 11pm). The philosophy behind eating frequently is that the physical act of digestion has a metabolic cost, and by continually feeding, you are maintaining a higher metabolic rate. As long as your grazing is healthy, this results in more calories burnt throughout the day. On the flipside, eating too infrequently causes your body go into starvation mode and conserve energy, which results in increased fat storage and lower digestive and overall metabolism.

Eat Water

Your body constantly uses water to create energy, build muscle, and burn fat, and without adequate water, studies have shown that the muscles are less active, the metabolism drops, and your body burns fat less efficiently. This slight decrease in metabolism can add up to over 10 pounds of fat a year! Water also assists in suppressing the appetite and giving you a “full feeling”. So drink several glasses of water each day, drink a glass of water at least 30 minutes before your workout, sip water regularly at the gym, and drink a glass of water after your workout (speeds up recovery too!). Many naturally occurring foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are also high in water content (as well as fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, etc.), so this is another great way to get your H2O.

If you have more questions about nutrition, or simply want to see how your diet measures up, you may be interested in a dietary analysis. After you sign-up for personal training with Pacific Elite Fitness at www.pacificfit.net, you receive a complete dietary analysis, complete with grocery list and food substitution suggestions, and monthly tools to track your progress, caloric intake, and macronutrient percentage. At pacificfit.net, you can also sign-up for a weekly newsletter jam packed with helpful tips and articles.

Head trainer Ben Greenfield runs the online training website Pacific Elite Fitness, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sport Science and Exercise Physiology, as well as certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CPT & CSCS). For over 6 years, Ben has coached and trained professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes, and helped hundreds of individuals achieve their personal fitness goals. For more information on online personal training and fitness, contact Ben at elite@pacificfit.net.

These 2 supplement preparations became popular about five years ago, when a tape of a lecture entitled “Dead Doctors Don’t Lie” given by a veterinarian/naturopath was circulating. It touted the benefits of a colloidal mineral potion based on a discovery of a Utah rancher some 75 years ago. As the story goes, the rancher found an Indian spring that supposedly had healing powers. He extracted minerals formed as humic shale (plant remains originating from a prehistoric rain forest) and gave them out in a liquid form. From this concept, supplement manufacturers developed colloidal mineral solutions and capsules (they don’t contain any vitamins). Each manufacturer claims theirs is the real thing. The marketers of colloidal minerals state that you only absorb a small amount of minerals from other types of (non-colloidal) supplements. And what about from food? They claim the soil in which food is grown is depleted of minerals. Manufacturers of colloidal minerals assert that their products are absorbed almost 100 percent because they have a “natural negative electrical charge,” allowing them to enter cells more easily.

So, is there any truth to this concept? First, for those of us who slept through science class, here’s a little review… A colloid is simply a particle suspended in a liquid or a gas. Milk is an example of a colloid (it’s a protein suspended in liquid). Most minerals occur in nature as ions, meaning they are negatively or positively charged particles.

Ionic minerals, on the other hand, supposedly are dissolved in water or in a water-soluble form (as opposed to a colloid, which is a suspension). Ionic mineral manufacturers say that their product is assimilated more quickly and efficiently into the body than colloidal minerals, which they claim aren’t absorbed as well as touted. Many of these ionic minerals are available in individual mineral solutions. Some of the ones on the market are not vital for human life, such as platinum, gold, and silver better to wear these minerals than ingest them.

If you look at any one of the many Web sites promoting these products, it can be easy to see how their assertions can seem so tempting. However, who or which side can you believe or trust? MANY of the claims of either colloidal or ionic minerals are not backed by valid scientific research. They don’t solve all of the medical problems they claim they do. For one, the manufacturers say that the soil used to grow plants is depleted of minerals, so even people eating healthfully are deficient in most nutrients. This is completely untrue because a plant cannot grow without sufficient minerals in the soil. Some minerals, such as calcium and iron, are abundant in animal foods. The soil issue is irrelevant in these cases.

Another frequent claim is that the charge of the mineral determines how readily the body will absorb it. However, many minerals exist in nature with a positive charge, and are absorbed adequately in that state. As a matter of fact, numerous factors affect absorption, which varies from mineral to mineral, regardless of a mineral’s charge. With some minerals, a person with low levels of them will absorb a greater percentage than someone with adequate stores. With other minerals, that’s not the case, and high levels can be harmful. Absorption can also be enhanced or inhibited by certain factors, foods, and nutrients. A good example of this is iron. Heme iron, the form of iron found in animals or animal sources, is more readily absorbed than non-heme iron, which is of plant origin. Phytates, a substance in some plants, bind iron, reducing its availability in our digestive tract. Vitamin C, however, increases our absorption of non-heme iron. As you can see, many factors come into play with nutrient absorption, whether a mineral has a positive or a negative charge. (By the way, iron has a positive charge.)

Some of these manufacturers also erroneously state that minerals are absorbed instantaneously through the lining of the stomach. This is untrue almost all minerals are absorbed in the small intestine. It takes some time for food to travel to the small intestine, depending on what and how much has been eaten.

In addition, colloidal minerals may contain toxins from organic compounds, especially if they are “natural” and minimally processed. Both colloidal and ionic minerals are also expensive.

But in the end … Ionic silver is the way to go, for one main reason ….. The particles are smaller and are spread out farther into the body. Our next article will cover some interesting stories of people andthe use of ionic silver and what really happens when it is used properly and made in a proper envrionment.

Eric Robichaud - Advanced Silver Technologies Ltd.
http://www.advancedsilver.com

Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer is yes! Far more studies show that a
typical ‘Western Diet’ has deleterious effects on health compared to the risks of a
vegan diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are associated with disease resistance and even
higher I.Q.’s in children. (1-5)

With proper planning and a bit of self-education, parents should feel confident in
giving their child a diet free of animal products.

Healthy food choices include the following:

Protein dense foods: beans, soy, whole grains, nuts, etc.

Calcium sources: beans, leafy greens, figs, blackstrap molasses, fortified beverages,
etc.

Iron sources: grains, dried fruit, coconut milk, blackstrap molasses, soybeans,
beans, etc.

Zinc sources: nuts, seeds, grains, chickpeas, soybeans, etc.

Avoid wheat and nuts until after one year of age, to avoid possible food sensitivities.

Supplementation may be necessary for children who are picky eaters, but most
nutritional needs can be met through diet. Vitamins D and B12 may be the
exception, and parents should ensure an optimal supply through fortified foods or
supplements.

Finding community support can be very important in helping your child maintain
healthy eating habits, as vegan diets are often misunderstood and even feared by
well-meaning family members, neighbours, and teachers. Many excellent resources
exist that can help educate those in your child’s life who have concerns, and
possibly alleviate any misconceptions they may have.

Raising a child on a vegan diet can be challenging in today’s world of hot-dogs and
ice cream, but parents should be assured that research is on their side.

The following sources are particularly supportive of vegan diets for children:

The Vegetarian Society UK http://www.vegsoc.org

The Vegetarian Resource Group http://www.vrg.org

European Vegetarian Union http://www.ivu.org

Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine http://www.pcrm.org

Becoming Vegan Brenda Davis, R.D., and Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.

1. O’Connell JM, Dibley MJ, Sierra J et al: Growth of vegetarian children: The Farm
Study. Pediatrics 1989;84:475-481.

2. Fisher M, Levine PH, Weiner B, et al. The effects of vegetarian diets on plasma
lipid and platelet levels. Arch Inter Med 1986;146:1193-1197.

3. Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Eilber U. Mortality pattern of German
vegetarians after 11 years of follow-up. Epidemiology 1992;3:395-401.

4. Thorogood M, Mann J, Appleby P, McPherson K. Risk of death from cancer and
ischaemic heart disease in meat and non-meat eaters. Brit Med J 1994;308:1667
-1670.

5. Dwyer JT, Miller LG, Arduino NL, et al. Mental age and I.Q. of predominately
vegetarian children. J Am Dietetic Assoc 1980;76:142-147.

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes
in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the editor of http://www.motherandchildhealth.com an online resource for women looking for
information on natural health and healing for themselves and their families.

A door stands before you. The door may be a book on health and fitness, women’s health issues, diet and nutrition, health food, or a weight loss program. The door may be a motivational health public speaking event. The door may be a friend sharing her enthusiasm about her fast weight loss by just eating common sense healthy foods and exercising every day. The door may be a doctor’s recent diagnosis.

No matter which door it is, you take a deep breath and open it up, not knowing what lies beyond it. All you know is that you are ready for a change. You feel that if you do not do something, and do something now, your body, your health, and, therefore, your very life will spiral downward.

To your delight, you step over the threshold into a bright, new world. You discover what you are made of and what promotes your physical health and fitness. With determination and self-discipline, you gather the knowledge and change your thinking. With the change of thinking, you change your food habits.

Your daily diet now includes lots of whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, and legumes. You gradually gravitated away from all animal and dairy products. You no longer crave or eat chocolate or sugar and white flour goodies. You lose your desire to eat processed foods, refined foods, fast foods, junk foods and all drinks with the exception of water and homemade fruit and vegetable juices.

You exercise every day. You get adequate sleep, rest, and relaxation. You avoid coffee, alcohol, and other toxins. You lose that extra weight. You take fewer, if any, pills. You have higher energy. Your days are filled with fun and purposeful activities of your choosing. You feel better than ever, and you glow with health and vibrancy.

You had no idea that walking through that first door would lead to a total transformation of your physical body. You also had no idea that the transformation of your physical body would lead you to a second door.

And now a second door stands before you, and you open it up. Because your physical health and fitness, the “what” part of your health, have reached an optimum level, you now have the emotional stability and mental clarity and self-insight to discover the “who” part of your health.

Because you are no longer bogged down with aches, pains, conditions, lack of mobility, extra weight, and loss of energy, you are able to explore who you are. What are your values? What are your priorities? What are your philosophies? Where is your life going? Who do you want to spend your time with? What is important to you? What is not important to you?

And as you explore the “who?” part of you, you come upon a third door.

“What could lie behind that third door?” you wonder.

Find out in Part 2 of this 2-part article: “Doors of Awareness to Optimal Health and Fitness”

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and lifestyle coach. Visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration.

Oats (botanical name Avena sativa)

An oat is a grass that produces a fibrous root and a hollow jointed stem with narrow, flat, pale-green leaves. Oats are native to southern Europe and eastern Asia. They are widely cultivated as a food.

An oat is an edible cereal grain produced by the cereal grass of the same name. They are light colored and have a nutty flavor and a chewy texture.
Usually we think of them as breakfast food but oatmeal has long been known for its skin-soothing properties. Many skin lotions and ointments are formulated with oats for it’s skin healing properties.

As a nutritious breakfast food oats provide a healthy addition to your diet in that there is 140 calories per 1/2 cup serving. They also provide 4g of dietary fiber, of which 2g of this is soluble fiber and 2g is insoluble. Insoluble fibers are those that cannot be dissolved in water. And soluble fibers can be dissolved in water. They provide 10% of your daily iron needs. Also of this 1/2 cup serving, there is 26g of carbohydrate and 2.5g of fat, which is considered lowfat.

Three grams of soluble fiber from oatmeal daily, in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Besides all this, this nourishing cereal also contains, vitamins, starches, minerals and 5g of protein. Clinical trials have been done, and they have shown that regular consumption of oat bran reduces blood cholesterol levels in just one month. High-fiber diets may also reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancers.

Oats contain the alkaloid, gramine, which has been credited with mild sedative properties.

There are several forms of oats on the market and the following lists the most popular kinds. Whole oats without the hulls are groats.

Rolled: Oat groats that have been steamed then flattened into flakes. Also, known by the more common name of old-fashioned.

Quick-cooking: Oat groats that are cut into several pieces before rolling to shorten the cooking time.

Instant oatmeal: Oat groats that are cut into very small pieces and processed so that they need no cooking, just add boiling water.

Steel-cut: Oat groats that have been cut by steel blades. Often called Irish or Scottish oatmeal.

Oat flour: The finely ground grain.

Oat bran: The ground outer layer of the oat. Used as a hot cooked breakfast cereal and is a good source of fiber.

Other uses for Oats Are in Skin and Bath Products.

Oatmeal is found in many bath products and skin and body products. Oatmeal baths are wonderful for soothing dry, flaking skin, and poison ivy and dermatoses. It alleviates itching from poison oak and chicken pox. It has long been used in facial scrub products and is a very natural product.

Oat straw contains high levels of silicic acid, which makes it an effective treatment for many skin diseases, especially those associated with the nervous system. Try using an external oat-straw preparation to relieve shingles and herpes.

Besides eating them in the form we are most familiar with, the box of oats that we purchase in the supermarket, oat products can be purchased in commercial form as capsules, extracts, and tinctures.

One expert lists the primary functions of oats as: If eaten, a supportive, nurturing tonic for the nervous system, If eaten, it can be used to alleviate digestive problems associated with stress and tension, If applied externally, it can relieve skin diseases especially those with a nervous basis.

Nick A. James offers informative tips and information on nutrition, health and working from home. Get the Exclusive Free Report! -6 Steps to Simplify Your Life, Improve Your Health & Give You Dynamic Energy! His many years of Internet Marketing expertise puts him in unique position to help others starting a home business. For free advice, health blog, and cutting edge info contact him at: http://www.health-goji-juice.com

Fitness Supplement - what is it?

The term “fitness supplement” is familiar to almost everyone nowadays. Fitness supplement is a supplement that is designed to help people who use it to achieve several results that include but are not limited to weight gain or weight loss, muscle building, adding vitamins or minerals to their diet, and many more. There is such a variety of fitness supplement products on the market that you will definitely find the right supplement for your needs.

Fitness Supplement - weight loss supplements.

Weight loss supplement is a fitness supplement that is designed to help people who use it to achieve a considerable loss of weight. The weight loss supplement can be based on various chemicals, vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc. Examples of weight loss supplements include but are not limited to Solidax ADX, Phentermine, Kava - Herbal, Xenical, Fat Absorber TDSL, Bontril, Meridia, and many more.

Fitness Supplement - body building supplements.

Body building supplement is a fitness supplement that is designed to help people who use it to achieve weight gain, muscle building, and strength training. There are many other reasons for using body building supplement products but these three are probably the most popular. Be careful with body building fitness supplement products as some of them could be very dangerous.

Fitness Supplement - nutritional supplements.

Nutritional supplement is a fitness supplement that provides additional sources of nutrients when people don’t get enough of them through food or when a well-designed diet doesn’t work. Nutritional supplement increases the intake of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, herbs, etc. It gives you the opportunity to achieve the average daily intake of some specific nutrient. If you are an athlete, you will have access to some types of nutritional supplement or supplements developed specifically for athletes.

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For additional information visit us at http://www.liquid-vitamins-4u.com

So what are they and why should you care about them? We shall begin our story with Free Oxidising Radicals. If you have had your mind numbed by beauty product commercials you may have heard of these nasties. (Here comes the science bit) Free radicals are produced when certain molecules react with unstable oxygen molecules during the process of combustion, for example during; smoking, burning of petrol (car exhaust fumes), frying or barbequing food, normal bodily processes and (Oh No) exercise. These free radicals can float around in our bodies damaging healthy cells, and are implicated in; susceptibility to infections, ageing, cancer, heart disease, cataracts and macular degeneration (vision loss common in elderly people), diabetes, Hypertension (high blood pressure), infertility, arthritis, cognitive impairment and stroke.

All is not lost, because these dangerous chemicals can be disarmed by antioxidants which are possibly the most important nutrients that you will ever hear about. Some of the big names are vitamins A, C and E, as well as beta-carotenes (found in red, orange and yellow fruit and vegetables) Selenium (found in Brazil nuts) Zinc, and bioflavonoids (also from fruit and vegetables) as well as many others. If you can balance the number of free radicals entering your body with the number of antioxidants entering your body then it is thought you can help your body avoid the diseases listed above. It is hardly surprising that studies have linked high levels of antioxidants with longer lives, and the absence of chronic diseases.

In studies around the world, high levels of antioxidants were found in people over the age of 100, and elderly people with high cognitive function also had higher levels of antioxidants. Many other research projects have linked low intake of antioxidants with Alzheimer’s, lung cancer, heart attacks, cataracts, the list goes on. A large intake of antioxidants is thought to lead to an enhanced quality of life and a delaying of the processes of ageing.

So now we know how great they are, how can we get our hands on them? Many people boost their intake with supplements, but these are no substitute for a healthy diet, and provide none of the important fibre found in source-foods which will help reduce chances of bowel dysfunction and bowel cancers. The human body is designed to derive its nutrition from plant and animal matter, and there is some uncertainty about how efficiently the body can absorb certain supplements, leading to what nutritionists call ‘expensive urine.’ Many supermarkets and companies sell bargain vitamins and supplements, but often the nutrients come in compounds which are not useful or readily absorbable- you get what you pay for in many cases. I am not dismissing all supplements, but care must be taken in choosing and using them.

Your body is capable of extracting antioxidants from natural whole foods, and this is a safe and healthy way of getting them into your system. To get the full complement of antioxidants you need to have a varied diet- the less foods you are prepared to eat, the fewer nutrients are available to you. To obtain an optimum amount of these life-saving chemicals your diet should consist of; whole grains, nuts, seeds and oily fish (vitamin E, zinc, and others) and brightly colored fruit and vegetables of as many different varieties as possible (for vitamin C, A, beta-carotenes, bioflavinoids and folates). You will be pleased to know that there are also antioxidants in Tea (especially green tea), dark chocolate and red wine (hurrah), although all of these should be used sparingly. The fresher your fruit and vegetables the more antioxidant value, some fruit juices and supermarket vegetables when tested contain almost no vitamin C- it may have been months since the original fruit was harvested. (It is important to note that you may see the word antioxidant on some food packaging, sometimes with an e number attached- you will derive no benefit from consuming these).

Your Antioxidant shopping list:
1. A steamer; lightly steamed vegetables will contain more nutrients than boiled.
2. A juicer; make your own fresh fruit and vegetable antioxidant cocktails. Try Apple, carrot, beetroot and ginger- don’t pull that face, it is delicious!
3. Oily Fish; fresh tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines. (Avoid all hydrogenated fats which will inhibit these beneficial chemicals.)
4. Green stuff; broccoli, cabbage, peas, kiwi, watercress, spinach, limes.
5. Yellow and orange stuff; lemons, golden linseed for essential fats and vitamin E(buy it ready ground or use a clean coffee grinder and make your own to sprinkle on cereal) peppers, mangoes, eggs, swede, turmeric (a ground spice), oranges, pumpkin and squash, sweet potatoes, apricots and peaches, carrots.
6. Red and purple stuff; beetroot, red cabbage, blueberries, ALL BERRIES, blackcurrants, ruby chard, beetroot tops (steam them like spinach), plumbs and prunes, purple sprouting, ruby grapefruit, tomatoes and red peppers.
7. White Stuff; Cauliflower, (rich in vitamins A and C), Brazil nuts for selenium, and a selection of other fresh nuts and seeds- avoid cooked nuts such as peanuts and cashews and other salted nuts- they don’t have the same benefits and are very fatty, and salty.
8. Organic fruit and vegetables have shown in tests to have higher levels of antioxidants- between 10 and 50% higher. Although if you are buying organic produce check the labels- if it is flown in from some far-flung destination it is not fresh despite being organic.

9. Local and seasonal fruit and vegetables will also be fresher and more likely to contain higher concentrations of our favorite chemicals.

Well I hope that you feel armed with knowledge and ready to do battle down the market to get the freshest, healthiest and most colourful shopping. Root out the winter vegetables, roast some beetroot with thyme and olive oil, buy some pumpkin and squash, and catch the freshest apples, straight off the trees.

Until next time,
Stay healthy,
Vikki.

Do you have any friends and family who could benefit from getting fitter and feeling better? If you do, then treat them to free copy of this newsletter, forward it to them, and get them to e-mail me with a request. E-mail getfitter@yahoo.co.uk subject: newsletter request. Would you like to bring health into the workplace? Get fitter now offers a corporate package, including yoga classes/courses, Nutrition seminars, conference breaks, Company Wellness days and Healthy Friday a monthly wellness event. Please visit www.corporatechill.com

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser and runs successful Community Exercise classes. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters.

The muscles of the body actually depend heavily on the vitamins, minerals as well as on the other nutrients that we take in so as to ensure that they’re always well taken care of. Consciously taking care of your body through the proper exercise, a well-balanced diet and a stress-free mind all contribute greatly towards keeping healthy and building a good set of muscles.

Muscles actually serve a far more important physical function apart from making fit people look good as well as the ability to lift heavy objects. Actually unknown to most people, the heart is the most important muscle of the body, as it runs the circulatory system. Our muscles help keep our internal organs in place and gives us the ability to perform each and every movement we make, from chewing and swallowing to controlling our bladder to sitting, standing and walking. Healthy muscles are essential to our day-to-day lives. Several vitamins and minerals actually work well together in keeping us fit and having stronger muscles.

Such vitamins and minerals that contribute to this are potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus which all greatly work together in making sure that our muscles are able to contract smoothly and effectively, as they should. This is, of course, essential to keeping the heart beating in a regular and efficient fashion. It is also important to take note that while the heart is the most important muscle in the body, each and every muscle in a person’s body deserves to be treated with equal importance and care since they work as a group.

Vitamin C is highly essential to the health and performance of muscles because it works alongside potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus in their muscle regulation tasks. Vitamin C is also necessary to the formation of collagen and elastin, which are important connective tissues of the body that helps build muscle structure. Vitamin C is also responsible for the well-being of the blood vessels, which support the muscles need for oxygen and nutrients.

Naturally, as with most of the important processes and systems of the body, the vitamins that make up the powerful and essential Vitamin B complex have a role in the health and function of the muscles. In fact, deficiencies in the B vitamins can even lead to all sorts of muscle problems, including a lack of muscle coordination. The B vitamins are greatly responsible for the creation of the red blood cells that support the entire body.

Proper nutrition is a good way to ensure that one’s muscles have what they need to function efficiently and to be strong. Daily exercise also plays an important role in muscle health and strength and should never be left out of any endurance strengthening health plans. Exercise is what actually helps the body to stay in shape and helping keep the jiggling flabs away. But before you start rushing to the nearest gym and start picking up the various exercise equipments there, it is highly important to note that even though it’s a good thing that you’re actually on your way to improving your health.

One must not be a brash, eager beaver. From zero exercise to lifting 50 pound weights can cause your muscle to tear and ache. You probably won’t even be able to get up from bed the following day. Have patience that even though the road to good health is still a long way to go for a beginner like you, it’s highly commendable that you’ve made the conscious decision to actually get there.

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Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/