http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/whats-health-supplements-why-are-they-largely-ineffective.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/whats-health-supplements-why-are-they-largely-ineffective.html Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 mens health supplements to support your health, protect you from disease and
allow you to be healthy when you're older.

BE VERY CAUTIOUS of which brand of supplement you choose!

Because almost all mens health supplements fall well short in what they
contain and they FAIL on their promise to optimize your health and protect you from degenerative disease.

That's because they are manufactured to a price so the supplement companies can't afford to include what should be there. Instead they stack them full of the cheapest of ingredients.


SO WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR SUPPLEMENT?
Well for starters you know that vitamins and minerals must be there. But since they're the most obvious, and cheapest, ingredients I'll talk about them further down.

The most cutting edge, bio-scientist formulated supplements contain optimal
amounts of special gender specific nutrients that address and protect against common health conditions that males typically encounter.

Some of these absolutely key ingredients become even more important as you age, because your body naturally produces less of them (such as L-Glutathione) and for others it is just very difficult to get enough of them from your diet at any age.

Some are powerful plant extracts, know as phytochemicals, and others are extracts from medicinal herbs (which you cannot get through your diet at all!)

That’s why it's essential that you use a professional grade, wide spectrum,
gender-specific nutritional supplement which contains ALL of these vital ingredients. (Many of which are listed in this article.)

And that's the key difference between the market's most power-packed supplements and the rest.

As I mentioned above almost all mens health supplements are largely ineffective and do not live up to their manufacturers claims.

This is because they don't contain many, and in numerous cases none at all,
of these critical disease busting specialty nutrients.


WHAT SHOULD THESE SUPERSTAR NUTRIENTS BE ABLE TO DO?
When it comes to mens vitamins there are three huge concerns that MUST be
holistically addressed:

enlarged prostate (BHP)

prostate cancer

breasts


Yes breasts!

Your levels of testosterone will gradually decline once you reach your mid
twenties.

Some men begin to notice symptoms of this in their thirties while others may not become aware of the decline until into their 50’s. It's a very individual situation.

So, less testosterone is produced and a significant proportion of this is
converted to estrogen with various negative results.

Too much estrogen plays havoc with your sex life as does too little testosterone!

With increased estrogen levels, men begin to develop breasts (aka 'Man Boobs') and suffer from decreased masculinity.

In fact most men fifty and over have greater estrogen levels in their bodies
than their female partners because of this phenomenon!

So the way to maintain a healthy level of testosterone is:

1. To reduce the amount that is converted to estrogen

2. To help stimulate the body to increase its own production of testosterone


INTRODUCING CHRYSIN - THE FIRST STAR INGREDIENT FOR EFFECTIVE MENS HEALTH
SUPPLEMENTS!
Chrysin is a bioflavonoid and natural aromatase inhibitor. This means it helps inhibit testosterone conversion.

Vitamins for men must include Chrysin in their formulas and it's vitally important that you don't forget to check the potency. Low potencies are ineffective and a waste of money.

Look for Chrysin at 90% or above potency.


MORE KEY NUTRIENTS

Because of the serious and common prostate problems experienced by men you
will need A FULL TEAM OF POTENT PROSTATE PROTECTORS in your supplement.

I'm sure you already know that prostate problems are a very serious concern for men.

Did you know that prior to their 59th birthday, 1 in 2 guys will experience
PBH (enlarged prostate). Just consider that statistic for a moment! One in two! Or 50%!

And prostate cancer is extremely scary since it’s one of the deadliest
diseases among men and the success rate of conventional medicine cures is
estimated at only 20 – 30% (with many negative pharmaceutical drug side effects).

So, which are the best nutrients to protect your prostate?

Let's start with Zinc!

You'll find Zinc in all mens health supplements but nearly always as Zinc
Citrate.

Zinc Citrate is a helpful nutrient but what absolutely must be there is a
generous dose of ZINC ASPARTATE.

What supplement users don't know (and can't be expected to know) is that these two different biological forms of Zinc follow different metabolic pathways and ONLY ZINC ASPARTATE travels direct to the prostate where it is needed!

There are several other clinically established nutrients which are effective
for good prostate health :

Beta Sitosterol

Corn Silk Extracts

Lycopene

Saw Palmetto

Resveratrol

Quercetin


In order to get powerful prostate protection and practice preventative health care against cancer and the other nasty prostate complications you need to
use a multi ingredient supplement that contains ALL of these ingredients.

Not just one or two which is the norm.


VITAMIN AND MINERAL FACTS

The first thing to understand when talking about vitamins and minerals is
that 'more is not better'. Apply this slogan instead to your daily intake of resh, raw vegetables and fruits.

I've reviewed hundreds of nutritional vitamin supplements and can tell you that a majority of them are loaded with over the top amounts of vitamins and minerals under the guise of "optimal amounts".

This is a rip off!

Yes, a supplement should provide a full spectrum of all vitamins and minerals,
except iron which is a pro-oxidant.

But you absolutely don’t need a supplement full of high doses of vitamins and minerals!

Many of the so called best vitamin supplements are around 70 - 80% comprised of cheap vitamins and minerals

This includes many of the really well-known, up-market products with expensive price tags.

Don't let manufacturers suck you into paying grossly inflated prices for cheap ingredients!

Vitamins are the cheapest ingredients for supplement manufacturers to include.
Good old vitamin C (ascorbic acid) costs around $15 per kilo.

Manufacturers love to stash 500 mg or even 1000mg and more of vitamin C into a supplement while avoiding key ingredients, like certain phytonutrients,
which cost upward of $1000 dollars a kilo.

I know of several well known, leading mens health supplements in the US where
40% or more of their formulas are just vitamin C!

If you use one of these you're getting extremely poor value for money not to
mention far less health benefits.

The mass media has been used to bombard and scare Americans for years with
the message "More is Better" and promoting the spin that high doses of
certain vitamins and minerals are needed for good health.

Supplement manufacturers who do this conveniently forget to mention the
danger that comes from consuming too much of any the fat soluble vitamins (
which store in your muscles and become toxic over the long term).

And any excess of water soluble vitamins ends up down your toilet!

They display statistical graphs showing deficiencies in certain vitamins for
large percentages of the population.

I don’t believe for one second that health conscious guys who exercise
regularly and use quality mens health supplements are part of the population
demographics displayed in those statistics.

Those statistics consist primarily of low wage earners who consume poor diets (high in saturated fat/fast foods/processed foods and low in fiber and micro-nutrients) and who cannot afford supplements or are not interested in taking them.

Vitamins and minerals should be there in lower doses to act primarily as co-factors to assist other key ingredients AND to top up what you're missing
from your diet. If you are diagnosed with a deficiency then you can add in extra.

Health conscious guys such as you are already taking in reasonable amounts of vitamins and minerals but not quite enough.


WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT IN YOUR SUPPLEMENT?
You need a broad spectrum of efficious ingredients from all the different types of nutrients. This will ensure you receive maximum protection against
lifestyle and environmental stressors/toxins and particularly from ever increasing levels of free radicals.

Phytonutrients

Medicinal herbal Extracts

Antioxidants

Amino acids

Enzymes

Cofactors

Trace elements

Specialty nutrients

Immunity enhancers


Be sure to compare only supplements which clearly categorize ingredients under these types of headings. You want to be comparing apples with apples.

Make sure potency levels and dose amounts ARE LISTED for each and every
ingredient. If they're not, ask yourself 'why' would they not list this
important information?

If the potencies and dose amounts are good then the manufacturer will absolutely make sure you know about it.

Be cautious of companies who hide ingredient information ehind "proprietary
Info" headings. That always raises a red flag for me.

One of the most important types of ingredients is the immunity enhancers.

That's because good health starts with a strong immune system which is your first line of defense against cancer and other killer diseases.

The most effective mens health supplements contain the most powerful (and proven) Immunity nutrients.

Here's a list of them:

Polysaccharides

Quercetin

Black Cumin

Olive Leaf

CoQ10

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Beta Carotene

Zinc

Manganese

So naturally you want all of these, or at least most of them, in your health supplement.

Polysaccharides are the cutting edge Immunity powerhouses in this list but
they're very expensive so if your supplement contains them then this is a
real bonus. (Mine does!)


QUALITY ASSURANCE TIPS TO LEAD YOU TO THE BEST SUPPLEMENT
Here are 5 extremely important criteria to follow when comparing mens health supplements.

These factors exemplify the difference between effective supplements that will boost your health to exciting new heights and middle of the road less effective products offering low value for money.


1. STANDARDIZATION

All herbal extracts must be 'standardized' so as to guarantee the amount of active ingredient from each herb (which can vary tremendously! )

Remember to check the potencies of all herbals when comparing brands.

Medicinal herbs are powerful disease preventing ingredients but beware of
supplements using herbal extracts all of which have low potencies. Take the
time to check this. It's absolutely worth your time to examine these fine details.

Many companies avoid using standardized extracts at all or sneakily include only some as standardized because they are significantly more expensive than non-standardized ones.


2. NO CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

A supplement company should manufacture its own products and control the
manufacturing process through all stages. Contact manufacturing can (and does)
open the door to a whole set of quality assurance problems, especially safety issues.

That's YOUR Safety!

A company's website should clearly set out who manufactures its products. All
quality controls should be included.

If these are first class you can bet they will listed there in large print.

If not, well.....


3. RAW MATERIAL QUALITY

To guarantee the contents, purity and potency of all ingredients there must
be a CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS FOR EACH AND EVERY RAW MATERIAL USED!

These certificates should be available for viewing if a customer requests.

Furthermore all raw materials must be sourced from GMP registered and audited
facilities.

If this info is missing from a company's website, send off an email (but I can already tell you the answer). Once again if the answer is yes these details would be clearly spelt out on the website.

Lastly, all raw materials must be tested before being used for compliance
with their certificates of analysis AND for microbiological contamination.


4. PHARMACEUTICAL LEVEL MANUFACTURING

Pharmaceutical level GMP (Good manufacturing practices) is the highest
standard possible for the manufacture of mens health supplements.

This standard is way above the commonly used 'food' standard.

Very few companies manufacture to pharmaceutical level. I kid you not when I say that you could count the ones that do on one hand!

When considering which supplement to use be sure to check whether the manufacturer is GMP compliant at a pharmaceutical level.

One more thing to check:

Prior to releasing each batch of product a further microbiological analysis must be carried out along with a heavy metal analysis. Once again, this protocol should be clearly set out of a company's website.


5. NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING
Quality mens health supplements contain absolutely no artificial ingredients and this includes any excipients (also labeled as inactives or "other
ingredients") used.

This means no artificial:

Colors

Flavors

Preservatives

Fillers

Binders

And no potential allergenic substances such as lactose, gluten, wheat and yeast.


6. 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - NO RIDICULOUS CONDITIONS

This last condition is one of the most important for me.

If a mens health supplement is truly as good as its manufacturer claims it is
then there should be no reason why an unconditional money back guarantee should not be offered.

Reputable companies stand by their products and guarantees are becoming more
and more common these days.

But watch out for some of the ridiculous conditions attached to money back
guarantees such as "30 days". This is a farce.

To cure serious health problems naturally takes longer than 1 month.

In fact, I know a famous bio-scientist in Australia (with a near perfect record for curing cancer) who says that for every month a person has had a health condition it takes 1 month for the cure.)

In other words if you have had a problem for a year then it takes about a year to cure it (once you are taking in the correct nutrients AND eating a strictly healthy diet).

And even if you are fairly healthy to begin with how can you judge subtle
differences to your overall sense of wellness after just 1 month.

Of course the manufacturers know you are going to wait longer than 1 month to
judge your results!

The multi ingredient mens health supplement I use naturally meets all these criteria.

To discover its name please visit this page nutritional vitamin supplements

--
Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents fair and transparent comparisons, along with no holds barred reviews, for each of these supplements.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/what-to-look-for-in-supplements-as-natural-cures-for-diabetes.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/what-to-look-for-in-supplements-as-natural-cures-for-diabetes.html Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Diabetes And Drugs

Conventional pharmaceutical treatments for type 2 diabetics are aimed at restoring euglycemia (normal blood glucose concentration), and thereby attempting to keep both short-term and long-term diabetic complications associated with the disease to a minimum. The main classes of diabetic treatment drugs (oral agents) include glitazones, sulfonylureas, biguarides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and meglitinides.

Many diabetics benefit from taking two or more of these diabetes drugs, each of which targets a different problem. Combination treatment is so common now that some pharmaceutical companies market pills containing a combination of these oral agents.

The more serious side effects of these synthetic drugs include:

• Death
• Heart complications
• Blackouts
• Fluid in the lungs
• Hypoglycemia
• Convulsions
• Allergic reactions
• Yellowing of skin or eyes

There are numerous common nasty side effects including:

• gastrointestinal problems
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• nausea
• low blood sodium levels
• headache
• possible dehydration
• weakness
• fatigue
• dizziness
• respiratory effects
• abdominal pain
• lack of appetite
• dark colored urine
• muscle pain
• anemia

and so on!

The FDA approved diabetes drug Muraglitazar, was found to double the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death, according to a study released on the Journal of the American Medical Association’s website. Oral drugs, such as Pioglitazone and Rosiglitazone, have been shown to cause or exacerbate heart failure and pulmonary edema.

The key point here is that drugs commonly prescribed to treat diabetes only suppress the systemic damage that has already occurred, and often creates further deterioration and weakening. Given these frightening realities it makes sense to look for natural cures for diabetes.


Natural Cures For Diabetes – Most Effective Herbals

Herbal extracts have been used to treat diabetes for thousands of years. Published clinical data has confirmed the efficacy of many of these extracts and shown the most effective to be:

• Gymnema Sylvestre
• Bitter Melon
• Banaba
• Pterocarpus Marsupium

While these herbal extracts from an important part of a scientific natural formula for diabetes they must be backed up by ingredients which not only target nutrient deficiencies which may have attributed to the condition in the first instance but also assist in better absorption and distribution of sugar in the blood stream.

The main problem with virtually all natural diabetic supplements on the market today is they do not contain enough of the most effective nutrients and therefore do not address diabetes from a holistic perspective. They only focus on blood sugar control. There should be ingredients aimed at helping strengthen the liver and eliminating toxins, along with other nutrients to help calm the body and help regenerate the cells within the pancreas, which, in turn may help improve the manufacture of insulin. This requires additional herbal extracts and other specialty nutrients.


Targeting The Root Cause Through Multi Action Ability

The most effective holistic diabetes formulas must contain the key herbal extracts listed above which in turn must be supported by at least the following herbals, vitamins, minerals and specialty ingredients, all combined in a synergistic way to enhance the efficacy of each other. This requires the expertise of highly qualified bio-scientists or chemists. Be sure that any diabetes formula you consider using have not been put together by marketers or doctors.

• Valeriana wallichii extract
• Milk Thistle Extract
• Luteolin
• Chromium
• Copper
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Alpha Lipoic Acid

A broad spectrum diabetic supplement not only helps to control blood sugar levels and promote efficient insulin production and secretion, manage effective glucose metabolism (blood sugar uptake) and reduce the risks of potentially fatal diabetic complications, but also helps protect the body from serious diseases such as:

• Kidney failure
• Heart disease and stroke
• High blood pressure
• Non-traumatic amputations
• High cholesterol
• Nervous system damage
• Cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and blindness


Natural Cures For Diabetes - Don’t Forget Your Omega 3’s

Any natural cure for diabetes should be complemented with omega 3 fatty acids. They are a key component in any diabetic’s treatment arsenal. Omega 3 fatty acids have been extensively scientifically proven to have significant cardiovascular benefits by lowering triglycerides and blood pressure, thus helping reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. With the health risks now associated with the intake of fatty fish, rich in omega 3’s, the easiest way to incorporate omega 3 fatty acids into your diet is through molecularly distilled fish oil supplements. Healthy people should aim for 1000mg of Omega 3 per day.

While living with diabetes can be a debilitating and difficult struggle, it does not always have to be treated with high risk pharmaceutical drugs. The market is full of supplements posing as a natural cure for diabetes but as mentioned above most of these full well short in what they contain. This is because the majority of supplements are manufactured to a price. There is however a few supplement companies out there not burdened by shareholder pressures and long distribution chains. These companies have fewer costs meaning they can include more of the ingredients that should be there while still managing a reasonable profit. To learn more about this topic please visit www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/natural-cures-for-diabetes



--
Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents in-depth head to head comparisons and reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/nutrition/prostate-cancer-symptoms-and-the-key-prostate-nutrients.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/nutrition/prostate-cancer-symptoms-and-the-key-prostate-nutrients.html Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

In order to have a better chance in fighting the disease, it is important to be aware of the symptoms associated with prostate cancer. The most common prostate cancer symptoms include a decrease in the size or force or an interrupted urine flow, painful or burning urination, frequent urination (especially at night) and blood in urine or semen. These symptoms are also associated with an enlarged prostate gland (BHP). In its advanced stages, these prostate cancer symptoms include frequent nagging pain in the hips, back, ribs, and pelvis. This is usually because the disease has spread to the bones in the pelvis or back.


Causes Of Prostate Cancer

While the exact causes of prostate cancer are not known, there are many risk factors that can add to the likelihood of contracting the disease. Genetics is believed to play a role because prostate cancer symptoms appear to run in some families. Having an immediate family member (father or brother) with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk of developing this disease. Diet and lifestyle can also play a role. Eating five or more servings of red meat and / or high fat diary products, in conjunction with substandard amounts of fruits and vegetables, have shown a link to prostate cancer.


Natural Prevention Methods

Without a clear understanding of the causes, it is hard to know how to prevent prostate cancer. However, since you have no influence over genetics, it is best to start with the factors you can control. Diet and nutrition are the first factors to consider when looking at natural cures for prostate cancer. Your diet should be based on a wide range of foods from plant sources, including, fruits and vegetables containing powerful phytonutrients, which often contain anti-cancer properties.

Research studies on phytonutrients have also shown success in preventing and relieving enlarged prostate (BPH) and prostate cancer symptoms. In addition, an anti-cancer diet comprised of brown rice, fresh raw fruits and raw vegetables will not only promote good health, it will give your body the building blocks it needs to fight prostate cancer and other diseases.


Supplements For Prostate Health

Most supplements designed for prostate health are comprised of several key herbs and nutrients. Since your diet is likely to have insufficient amounts of many of these nutrients you need to get them through a multi-nutrient supplement that balances the dose amounts and takes into account the synergistic reactions they have with one another. The key players for prostate health include:

Beta Sitosterol
Turmeric
Corn Silk
Lycopene
Saw Palmetto
Zinc Citrate and Zinc Aspartate
Grape Seed
Quercetin
Omega 3
Green Tea
Resveratrol

NOTE: Most supplements contain Zinc in the Citrate form which is good but it is crucial that additional Zinc is included in the Aspartate form because this travels directly to the prostate where it is needed!

As an older male, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of good prostate health as well as being able to recognize prostate cancer symptoms. Equally important is to adopt preventative health-care measures early in life (preferably in tour 30’s) by eating responsibly, and investing in your health by taking a quality, science-based nutritional supplement containing a high number of established anti-cancer nutrients including all the key prostate nutrients listed above (less omega 3 which can be purchased separately in a soft gel).



--
Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents in-depth head to head comparisons and reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/nutrition/vitamins-for-women-cutting-through-the-clutter-to-find-the-best-supplements.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/nutrition/vitamins-for-women-cutting-through-the-clutter-to-find-the-best-supplements.html Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Women’s Nutritional Needs

Because of their unique nutritional needs at various times in their life cycle, women require gender specific nutrients when it comes to vitamins for women. To maintain a healthy diet, the average female requires five to eight daily servings of fruits and vegetables. This is no simple task given the typical diet of women today and the stressful lifestyles most lead. It has been reported that nearly half do not eat any fruit and 80 percent only eat leafy green veggies, which contain protein, fiber and antioxidants, once every four days.

Furthermore, consider the fact that numerous vegetables have lost much of their nutritional composition in the last 60 years. A good example is spinach. 100g of spinach has lost 137mg of its vitamin C content since 1950.

When your body doesn’t get the nutrients it eventually develops marginal deficiencies which can produce a whole host of problems which many people do not recognize as health problems at all. Some of the more common include:

• Mood swings

• Fatigue

• Nervousness

• Headaches

• Confusion

• Muscle weakness

And, with sustained nutrient deficiencies, the average person puts themselves at risk for serious diseases, such as cancer, hypertension, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
So, if the average diet is unable to supply the all nutrients needed in sufficient daily amounts, what can a woman do to make sure her body is protected? The answer is really quite simple - sensible supplementation.

By taking quality, science-based supplements with the correct balance of vitamins for women, along with a wide range of all types of micro-nutrients, a female will be able to keep her body in balance, maintain higher energy levels and greatly reduce the risk of developing the serious degenerative diseases mentioned above.


High Vitamin Doses Are Not Required!

Before you rush out to purchase a multi vitamin and mineral formulation, it is important to remember that if you already maintain a reasonable diet, you don’t need supplements with high doses of vitamins and minerals.

Most vitamin supplements available in the market contain way over the top dose amounts of vitamins and minerals. These are the cheapest ingredients in supplements! While they are important, they are only required in small amounts to top up marginal deficiencies which are common in many western diets. Far more important are the total number, dose amounts and potencies of key phytonutrients and herbal extracts contained in a supplement - these play a much greater part in determining the efficacy and value for money of a supplement. Consumers must learn what to look for and how to compare these ingredients.

Derived from plant extracts, phytonutrients are powerful, antioxidant disease fighters. While there are many vitamins for women type products containing some phytonutrients and standardized herbal extracts, virtually all supplements are manufactured to a price and can't afford to include enough nor in sufficient potencies to be of much benefit.

Clinical studies have shown certain phytonutrients, amino acids and herbal extracts to be particularly powerful and effective and in treating numerous health conditions and for preventative health measures. These are highly efficious ingredients that should be in your multi ingredient health supplement. (All of them are included in the supplement I use).

• L-Glutathione

• L-Carnosine

• Bilberry

• Resveratrol (high potency)

• Turmeric (high Potency)

• Zeaxanthin

• Tocotrienols


L-Glutathione – A Key Ingredient!

L-Gluthathione is the most abundant antioxidant enzyme in your body, and crucial for cell health and organ survival. As a person ages, their production of this vital substance decreases. However, because of its exorbitant cost (around $800 / kilo, wholesale) most supplements do not include it in their list of ingredients.

Supplements containing L-Glutathione must contain the reduced form of the enzyme so that it can penetrate the intestinal cell walls. Supplement manufacturers often cut costs by including the much cheaper 'regular' form which offers extremely low absorption levels. L-Glutathione is highly susceptible to destruction by stomach acid so any supplement containing it must be enteric coated.


Hormonal Pre-Cursor Herbs
In addition to phytonutrients, herbal extracts are key ingredients in vitamins for women products. Certain herbs help to maintain and/or re-balance hormone levels during menstruation and menopause and help ease discomfort and associated symptoms. The five most clinical established hormonal precursors are:

• Black Cohosh

• Red Clover

• Dong Quai

• Wild Yam

• Isoflavones

These are key ingredients to look for in vitamins for women supplements!


Amino Acids – Powerful Proteins

Known as the building blocks of proteins, amino acids play a key role in increased energy, healthy immune, nervous and musculoskeletal systems, balancing hormones and blood sugar and overall brain health. Essential amino acids and derivatives include:

• L-Taurine

• L-Arginine HCL (conditionally essential amino acid)

• L-Methionine

• L-Threonine

• L-Tyrosine

• L-Carnosine

• L-Glutathione

• L-Proline

• L-Lysine

• N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine

• Carnitine / Acetyl-L-Carnitine


What To Look For In The Best Supplements

In order to identify professional grade supplements offering the strongest and safest health and lifestyle benefits, a few simple criteria should be followed. These should be clearly spelled out on a supplement company’s website. If they are not, ask yourself WHY.

1. Make sure that all herbal extracts and active enzymes are standardized. This guarantees the potency and amount of the disease fighting active ingredients.

2. Safety, purity, and potency, are all guaranteed when a supplement manufacturer sources all raw materials from GMP registered and audited facilities.

3. All ingredients MUST have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file to confirm potency. Reputable and transparent supplement companies should make copies available to customers and potential customers on request. I know mine does as I requested to see several of their COA’s in the past.

4. Look for supplement companies who self manufacture. There are not many out there (you can count them on one hand) but those that do have invested a huge financial commitment and are more quality focused - not just out to make a quick buck like many companies who contract out their manufacturing.


By taking the time to study labels and know what to look for when it comes to vitamins for women you will end up with a safe, high quality supplement that does what it promises to and is true to its label. These types of products are few and far between in the supplement industry.

Many supplements lack product integrity and are poorly put together by marketers and doctors rather than by highly qualified bio-scientists who work with the latest cutting edge science.


--
Brett Seagrott worked in the supplement industry and is the author of nutritional supplement truths.com The site discusses vitamins for women along with its main theme of ‘Evaluating and Comparing Supplements’. It presents in-depth evaluations, reviews and transparent/fair comparisons of industry leading supplements so consumers can see which supplement(s) sit(s) at the top of the pack.




Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/depression/what-to-look-for-in-nutritional-supplements-for-the-brain.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/depression/what-to-look-for-in-nutritional-supplements-for-the-brain.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
A significant proportion of the population is starting to take control of their own health as they come to realize that pharmaceutical drugs do not treat the root causes and any underlying deficiencies that are contributing to neurological illnesses.

In addition to positive outcomes for individuals with established neurological disorders, proactive consumers in good health are also using brain supplements as a powerful form of long-term preventative health-care. This wellness strategy ensures their brains receive an ongoing range of specific ‘brain nutrients’ which keep this vital organ in tip top shape to avoid disease and reduce free radical damage and degeneration.

This in turn allows them to enjoy the lifestyle they want through benefits including an improved sense of well-being, sharper and clearer thinking, improved memory, less headaches and better sleep. Brain supplements can also be used by those without classic neurological disorder symptoms, but who have a neurological weakness (either hereditary or acquired) which they would like to strengthen.


The Key Nutrients For Brain Health

The brain is a complex, well-organized matrix of intricate nerve endings. Every second, billions of electrical nerve impulses travel back and forth to this organ, with chemicals acting as neurotransmitters, transporting impulses from one cell to another. Because studies have shown that many nervous system disorders are a direct result of nutrient deficiencies, if the brain has an inadequate amount of the nutrients it needs to manufacture neurotransmitters, it begins to malfunction, leading to many chronic conditions.

The most powerful nutrients for your brain as established through clinical research are listed below. Look for these key ingredients when searching for the most effective nutritional supplements for the brain.

You won’t find every single one in a single supplement formula as manufacturers couldn’t afford to do this in effective dose amounts while maintaining an affordable selling price. Since each nutrient has differing properties some are more effective at certain disorders of the brain than others although there is an overlap for many. So some ingredients will be needed in brain supplements aimed at memory but are not needed in one aimed at insomnia. The key ingredients in a supplement formula for anxiety and depression will differ slightly from those in a general brain formula, particularly in the dose amounts.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine for example is used for Alzheimer's disease, age-related memory deficits, senile depression, Down syndrome, alcoholism-related cognitive deficits and cerebro-vascular insufficiency after stroke. So you should find it in supplement formulas for general brain health, or depression/anxiety formulas and memory formulas but not in supplements for sleep disorders.

In terms of the exact ingredient list in brain supplements we need to rely on the experience and qualifications of the bio-chemists who formulate them. The best supplement companies proudly display full details of their formulators on their websites. The accomplishments of the bio-scientist who formulates the multi nutrient nutritional supplement I have used for the past 7 years is quite remarkable. He has even created brain formulas for NASA’s Space Program. (The name of the supplement is Total Balance).

Please take time to study not only ingredient dose amounts but especially potency levels, particular of herbal extracts and the other key actives below. Higher potency levels offer far more effective health benefits and value for money. Reputable supplement companies always clearly display potencies for ALL INGREDIENTS.

• Huperzine A
• Vinpocetine
• Phosphatidyl Choline
• Phosphatidyl Serine
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine
• 5 – HTP (5 – hydroxytryptophan)
• Gingko Biloba
• SAMe
• Schizandra
• Valerian Root
• Passion Flowers
• DMAE
• Gotu Kola
• Bacopa
• Lithium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B complex
• Folic Acid

To learn how these key nutrients should be combined in specific nutritional supplements for the brain please follow this link.


The Most Common Neurological Disorders

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive degenerative disorder characterized by a widespread loss of brain cells, beta-amyloid deposits in the cerebral blood vessels, development of plaque and the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, however, research has found some clues pointing to nutritional deficiencies.

The Gingko Biloba herb is a key nutrient in nutritional supplements for the brain aimed at memory. There is a great deal of clinical evidence supporting the connection between long term doses of Gingko and the potential to boost memory and brain function. Gingko has been double-blind tested many times for its ability to increase the oxygen content to the brain and other bodily tissues. Search for dose amounts of at least 100 mg. In terms of potency levels the extract must be standardized to 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides, containing 6% terpene lactones. Extract ratio of 50:1

•Other key memory ingredients that must be there are: Acetyl-L-Carnitine; Huperzine A; 5 – HTP; DMAE; Phosphatidyl Choline; Phosphatidyl Serine; SAMe; Vinpocetine; Bacopa; Gotu Kola; Passion Flower; Schizandra



Depression, Stress, Anxiety

Millions of people worldwide suffer from depression, stress or anxiety. Root causes include heredity, 20th century lifestyles, environment and diet. Conventional treatments use prescription anti-depressants. However, these medications only suppress the symptoms and do not treat the root of the problem. Several natural substances have proven to be highly effective when combined correctly in nutritional supplements for the brain. They can repair neurotransmitter faults, improve mood and rebalance nutrient intake.

•The key ingredients are: 5 – HTP; Acetyl-L-Carnitine; DMAE; Huperzine A; Phosphatidyl Choline; Phosphatidyl Serine; SAMe; Vinpocetine; Chamomile; Hops; Gotu Kola; Passion Flower; Valerian



Insomnia

Insomnia comes in two forms, sleep onset insomnia (the inability to fall asleep) and sleep maintenance insomnia (the inability to stay asleep) Invariably, people suffering from either type will end up with chronic sleep deficiencies. Insomnia can be caused by several factors such as mood disorders, illness, heartburn, menopause, diabetes and arthritis and periodic limb movement disorders. Nutritional supplements for the brain that target insomnia should contain the following key compounds as the main active ingredients:

•5-HTP; Phosphatidyl Choline; DMAE; Huperzine A; SAMe; Vinpocetine; Bacopa; Hops; Valerian; Chamomile; Passion Flower


Brain wellness is a vital component to a healthy and happy life. It effects every other system in the body. The brain is the most intricate and misunderstood organ in the body, which is the main reason why many prescription drugs used to treat problems are ineffective. Nutritional supplements for the brain provide a natural alternative for good neurological health.


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Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents in-depth head to head comparisons and reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/benefits-of-fish-oil-supplements-using-oil-in-ester-form.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/benefits-of-fish-oil-supplements-using-oil-in-ester-form.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500 While many people believe the best source of omega 3 is in plant foods such as walnuts or flax seed, they may be unaware that there are two different types. Plants produce short chain omega 3’s, however, the long chain version of this compound contains DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), which have been proven to provide more abundant health benefits. DHA and EPA are known as essential fatty acids (EFA’s).

Fish is the best source of these beneficial fatty acids. However given the influx of deadly toxins that are carried by fish, it is recommend they only be consumed one to two times a week. Given this fact it is difficult to get adequate amounts of omega 3 in our diets. Thankfully, fish oil supplements can safely help to make up the omega 3 shortfall.

If you have no serious health conditions, you need about 1000 mgs of omega 3 daily. This means in order to see the benefits of fish oil supplements you should take two 500 mg soft gels daily.


What Are The Health Benefits?


With the American Heart Association recommending that everyone increase their intake of omega 3, the health benefits of fish oil are numerous. Studies have shown that a diet filled with omega 3 fatty acids helps improve cardiovascular health, immune response, anti inflammatory action, brain function, vision, joint function and mobility and skin. In addition, with more than 100,000 scientific studies published on the benefits of fish oil supplements, and fish oil, it is a wonder that everyone does not include it in their diet.



The Superiority Of Fish Oil In Ester Form


Most people have not heard of the ester form of fish oil, largely because it is so expensive to manufacture. There is only a handful of manufacturers out there which produce fish oil in ester form. From a bioavailability point of view it is the most superior form of fish oil. Fish oil is usually manufactured in triglyceride form, and while still beneficial, it cannot be readily absorbed until the body converts it to ester form. In triglyceride form, the oil has a difficult time passing through the cell membranes, thus the body sees significantly less of its benefits. By contrast, if the oil is converted to an ester form during the manufacturing process it is easily able to enter cell membranes, allowing the body to use it as instant energy, or store it for later use.
To learn more about the importance of fish oil in ester form please visit benefits of fish oil supplements/ ester



Ensuring Purity


Because of toxicity issues with most cold-water fish, it is crucial to research where the fish, from which the oil is harvested, are derived from. The majority of lakes in the northern hemisphere have heavy levels of mercury, PCB’s and other contaminates. Because of this, most fish oils are imported and transported a considerable distance before they are made into a capsule form. Given their long trek, additives must be put into the oil so that it will not spoil during the journey. In order to ensure that the oil you are using as pure it is important to use a product that has been molecularly distilled to filter out contaminates, impurities and additives.



Benefits of fish oil supplements - The Importance Of DHA


DHA is the more important Omega 3 fatty acid. It is believed to constitute the ‘building blocks’ of the brain. In addition it has been shown to provide greater cardiovascular benefits than EPA and is more effective at boosting ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and lowering the levels of dangerous triglycerides in the blood. Because of this, DHA content should be one of your main considerations when comparing fish oil brands and you should aim for at least 250mg. The average industry standard is 120mg of DHA but this is way too low to produce the health benefits associated with this amazing EFA.

While the benefits of fish oil supplements are many, it is important to remember that they are not all created equal. When looking for a quality supplement, make sure it is the highly superior ester form, has been molecularly distilled and contains at least 250mg (and preferable more) of DHA.




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Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has systematically evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents in-depth head to head comparisons and reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/criteria-for-evaluating-nutritional-supplements-and-the-need-to-evaluate.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/criteria-for-evaluating-nutritional-supplements-and-the-need-to-evaluate.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500 A Paradox of Choice = The Need To Evaluate

If you already take nutritional supplements or are considering starting then you’re no doubt well aware of the seemingly endless array of products and choices in the market.

Supplement consumers face a paradox of choice and they know only too well that the quality, safety and efficacy of the thousands of various brands out there are far from equal!

Physicians Management Journal backs this up by reporting that one in three dollars spent on nutritional supplements is WASTED!

Because nutritional supplements in the US are currently regulated under ‘food GMP’ (and these do not address the unique aspects of supplement manufacturing) the market has become flooded with supplements lacking product integrity and making fanciful performance claims.

Supermarket shelves and on-line stores are filled with supplements put together by marketers or other unqualified people trying to cash in on the popularity of the latest ‘in-vogue’ nutrients and on consumers lack of nutritional science knowledge.

The majority of people putting together supplements for sale have little idea of the complex bio-chemistry involved when ingredients are combined or which metabolic pathways they follow when assimilated into the body.

So the need to evaluate supplements is clear. Consumers need a reliable way to evaluate and compare supplements in order to find products that are safe, effective and which offer the best value for money. More on this below.


Different Categories of Supplements – Evaluate Them All


Cheap and ‘middle of the road’ multi vitamin supplements are currently the most popular category choice for the majority of supplement users.

Consumers however need to consider the limited health benefits offered by these types of supplements and that most do not offer good value for money. They contain large amounts of cheap vitamins and minerals and excessive amounts of non-active ingredients (excipients).

While these types of supplements help to ‘top-up’ deficient levels of essential micro-nutrients, they are in reality missing, or deficient in, expensive, key ingredients such as high potency phytonutrients, standardized herbal extracts and male and female ‘support’ nutrients, which are needed to optimize wellness throughout the body.

At the top end of the market is a small category of the best vitamin supplements based on synergistic and nutritionally complete formulas. They have been formulated by highly qualified bio-scientists using the latest research in bio-cellular chemistry and nutritional science.

These broad spectrum multi ingredient supplements target all organs and systems in the body, including the brain, and offer the strongest of health benefits. They do far more than just ‘top-up’ nutrient deficiencies but rather take a holistic approach to wellness by treating the body as a whole.

The consumption of this category of supplement is trending up worldwide. This is being driven by the aging baby boomers generation who use them as a form of preventative healthcare to achieve their aim of “staying young and beautiful” as well as allying their fear of chronic illness, particularly cancer.

Now here is a key point:

The markets’ best science-based supplements are far from being equal! There are always varying degrees of efficacy and value for money and in many cases these differences are significant.

This is primarily due to factors such as organizational structure, shareholder pressure and the marketing model(s) and distribution method(s) of supplement companies. These factors impact on the type and number of ingredients that manufacturers can afford to include in their products as well as the potencies and dose amounts – all of which are key variables when comparing supplements.

Consumers should always keep in mind that almost all supplements are manufactured to a price!

So regardless of which price category a supplement falls in it should be evaluated and then compared to its competitors. This applies even more for the up market multiples because value for money varies more-so.


Criteria for Evaluating Nutritional Supplements

A supplement can be broken apart and evaluated by examining it through 6 criteria:


The Formula

Ingredient Quality

Bio-availability

Synergy

Manufacturing Standards and Protocols

Value for money


By understanding the basics of each, supplements users can get a feel for the science behind supplements and target in on the fine details that manufacturers often love to keep hidden. This then allows consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

The full 6 criteria can be used with multi ingredient products while less complex or single ingredient supplements can be evaluated using only 4 or 5.


To read further details on how to evaluate nutritional supplements follow these links to dedicated pages explaining the use of each of the 6 evaluation criteria.


Learn how to evaluate nutritional vitamin supplements

Nutritional vitamin supplements


Using The Formula as criteria to evaluate nutritional supplements

Nutritional supplement formulas

Using Ingredient Quality as criteria to evaluate nutritional supplements
Ingredient quality in nutritional supplements

Using Bioavailability as criteria to evaluate nutritional supplements

Bioavailability of nutritional supplements

Using Synergy as criteria to evaluate nutritional supplements
Synergy in nutritional supplements

Using manufacturing standards as criteria to evaluate nutritional supplements
Vitamin supplement manufacturers

Using Value for money as criteria to evaluate nutritional supplements
Value for money with the best vitamin supplements




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Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents in-depth head to head comparisons and reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/mens-vitamins-learn-which-key-nutrients-every-man-needs.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/supplements/mens-vitamins-learn-which-key-nutrients-every-man-needs.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500 vitamin is often used interchangeably to describe not only vitamins, but also minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, enzymes, herbs, and other nutrients forms commonly used in nutritional supplements.
Because each gender has their own set of nutritional and metabolic needs, it is vital that men choose vitamins specifically designed for them. Males require a number of specialty nutrients that just are not available from diet alone. Because of this, it important to choose a men’s vitamin that meets all of your nutritional needs.


Your Key Nutrients

For men’s health, the main gender specific concerns include enlarged prostate, prostate cancer and gynomastia (enlarged breast tissue). As a man ages, they creates less testosterone, furthermore, a large share of the testosterone they do produce is converted to estrogen. Because of this, their breast tissue might begin to enlarge and they may see a decrease in libido. Many of the pharmaceutical drug therapies used to counteract the effects of this hormone reduction can cause very serious side effects, the most severe being accelerated growth in undetected prostate cancer and liver dysfunction.

One natural way to combat hormonal problems is to make sure the men’s vitamins you are taking include the bioflavonoid (isoflavone) Chrysin, a plant extract, which naturally helps inhibit testosterone conversion to estrogen. It is important to use a supplement that has a chrysin potency of 90 percent or higher. Chrysin is an expensive ingredient so most supplements contain it at paltry potencies and tiny dose amounts. Avoid these products.

Zinc is another key component of the mens vitamin supplement you choose. This powerful nutrient has proven positive effects on prostate health. The most common form of zinc used in supplements is zinc citrate. While this form is beneficial, your men’s vitamins should contain a healthy dose of zinc aspartate. Why? Because only zinc aspartate travels directly to the prostate. The phytonutrient Quercetin also helps to protect against prostate cancer. It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to block male hormones that encourage cancer cell growth. The other well-known and effective prostate nutrients that must be in your men’s vitamin supplement are:

• Beta Sitosterol
• Corn Silk Extracts
• Lycopene
• Saw Palmetto
• Resveratrol

When considering other key components of men’s vitamins, vitamins and minerals are of course important, but in low doses, to fill in any nutrient gaps missing in your normal diet and to act as co-factors for other key ingredients in the formula. If a large percentage of your supplement is made up of large doses of vitamins and minerals then you’re not getting good value for the money. Vitamins and minerals are the cheapest ingredients in supplements!

Other key elements of a quality nutritionally complete multi nutrient supplement are:

• High potency phytonutrients
• Standardized medicinal herbal extracts
• Amino acids
• Standardized active enzymes
• Cofactors
• Trace elements
• Specialty nutrients
• powerful immunity enhancers

Good health starts with a strong immune system. This is your first line of defense against cancer and other major disease. In order to keep your immunities up it is important to have a variety of powerful boosters in your men’s health supplements, including polysaccharides, alpha lipoic acid, turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, vitamin B6, calcium and manganese.


Things To Look For When selecting a Quality Mens Vitamin Supplement

The first thing to check is that all herbal extracts are standardized. This will guarantee the potency and amount of active ingredients in the supplement you purchase. Many products avoid using standardized extracts because they are considerably more expensive.

To ensure that the product is safe, pure and potent, all unprocessed materials must be sourced from Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) registered and audited facilities and all ingredients must have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to confirm their potency. All of this information should be clearly available on a supplement company's website. Internally the company must have a confirmed paper trail proving the source of all ingredients and this should be freely available to consumers on request.

In addition, supplement companies must test all raw materials prior to manufacture for compliance with the COA and for microbiological contamination. Safety testing protocols should also be clearly set out on the website! Finally, be sure the product does not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, fillers or binders, as well as potential allergenic substances such as lactose, gluten, wheat and yeast.

A quality vitamin supplement for men containing all the nutrients mentioned above provides an excellent foundation for your preventative health regime as well as for treating existing health conditions. By taking steps to ensure that a supplement is manufactured in accordance with the criteria listed in this article and has a competitive price, you can feel confident that you are using a highly efficious and safe product which offers excellent value for money.



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Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry and is the author of http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers don't want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements and presents in-depth head to head comparisons and reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>