Minerals and Vitamins

Mineral Potassium (k)

akhtar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:53:09 +0000

Mineral

Functions

Sources

Signs of
Deficiencies

Signs of
Excessive Intake

Potassium (K)

Main base ion of intracellular fluid;
Necessary to maintain electrical potentials of the nervous system - and so functioning of muscle and nerve tissues.

Cereals;
Coffee;
Fresh Fruits;
Meat;
Salt-subsitutes;
Vegetables;
Whole-grain flour.

Insufficient potassium in the body may lead to:
General muscle paralysis;
Metabolic disturbances.

Excessive amounts in the body (whether due to intake or other causes) may lead to:
Arrhythmia, and ultimately cardiac arrest (”heart attack”).
Metabolic disturbances.

Mineral Phosphorous (P)

akhtar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:48:35 +0000

Mineral

Functions

Sources

Signs of
Deficiencies

Signs of
Excessive Intake

Phosphorous (P)

Constituent of bone tissue;
Forms compounds needed for energy conversion reactions (e.g. adenosine triphosphate - ATP).

Dairy products;
Fruits (most fruits);
Meat;
Pulses;
Vegetables(esp.leafy green ).

Insufficient phosphorous may lead to:
Anaemia;
Demineralization of bones;
Nerve disorders;
Respiratory problems;
Weakness;
Weight Loss.

Excess phosphorous can interfere with the body’s absorption of: calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Mineral Magnesium Mg

akhtar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:36:31 +0000

Mineral

Functions

Sources

Signs of
Deficiencies

Signs of
Excessive Intake

Magnesium (Mg)

Essential for healthy bones;
Functioning of muscle & nervous tissue;
Needed for functioning of approx. 90 enzymes.

Eggs;
Green leafy vegetables;
Fish (esp. shellfish);
Milk (and dairy products);
Nuts;
Wholemeal flour.

Deficiency can occur gradually, leading to:
Anxiety; Fatigue; Insomnia; Muscular problems; Nausea; Premenstrual problems.
The most extreme cases of deficiency may be associated with arrhythmia.

Unusual.

Minerals Iron (Fe)

akhtar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:30:52 +0000

Mineral

Iron (Fe)

Functions

Essential for transfer of oxygen between tissues in the body;

Sources

Blood (e.g. “Black Pudding”); Eggs; Green (leafy) vegetables; Fortified foods (e.g. cereals, white flour);

Liver; Meat; Nuts; Offal; Peas; Whole grains.

Signs of Deficiencies

Deficiency may lead to:

Anaemia; Increased susceptibility to infections.

Signs of Excessive Intake

Long-term excessive intake of iron can lead to: Haemochromatosis or Haemosiderosis (involving organ damage), and both of which are rare; Insufficient calcium and magnesium in the body (because these minerals compete with each other for absorption); Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.

Mineral Functions and Sources Calcium (Ca)

akhtar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:11:16 +0000

Mineral

Calcium (Ca)

Functions

Key constituent of bones and teeth;
Essential for vital metabolic processes such as nerve function, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.

Sources

Dairy Produce

Signs of Deficiencies
Deficiency (or insufficient uptake) may lead to:
Osteomalacia; Osteoporosis; Rickets; Tetany.

Signs of Excessive Intake

Formation of “stones” in the body, especially the Gall Bladder and the Kidneys.

Best Vitamins and Herbs to Boost Sexual Health for Men and Women

akhtar — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 20:20:29 +0000

Rhodiola Rosea

This plant, which grows in the arctic region, has shown great promise in boosting a couples mojo. Studied extensively at Columbia University, researchers have found evidence that the herb can enhance sexual desire, energy, performance, and orgasm in both men and women. Other studies suggest that the herb can also help some men prolong stamina. And for women, Rhodiala Rosea may counteract some of the unpleasant side effects of menopause. This herb is commonly found at any health store in tablet form and no side effects or prescription interactions have been reported.

Ginseng

Ginseng, which works in ways similar to Ginko Biloba (see below), increases blood flow through a man’s lower extremities, but it has also shown promise in helping women boost their desire, performance, energy, and orgasm. This is most likely due to affecting the dopamine system, which is the complex system of the brain that researchers believe triggers sex drive. More than half of all men and women in studies with Ginseng report an improvement of “being in the mood” more often. In general, ginseng has been found to be perfectly safe for use, except in pregnant or breastfeeding women, because of its estrogen-like effects. The only other common effect from its use is producing excitability, but that’s exactly what we’re after here!

Maca (Peruvian Ginseng)

Better known as “Peruvian Ginseng,” this herb grows in the high-altitude areas of Peru. The Incas have passed down the stories of the roots legendary powers for generations. Maca is known for improving lust and orgasm in both men and women, and for having a, shall we say, Viagra-like effect. Used to give ancient Peruvian warriors added strength in battle, it was also kept away from women while the warriors were away (perhaps for fear of what might transpire while they were gone?). This herb has shown fairly consistent findings in animals and humans to increase stamina and libido in both genders, as reported by Discovery Health. So far there have been no cases of toxicity in this herb, which makes it relatively safe to take by just about anyone.

Horny Goat Weed

Just as its name implies, horny goat weed is a leafy, high-altitude plant which has long been believed to, er, boost the libido. For men in particular, this herb is believed to play a role in the correction of erectile dysfunction, or ED. The problem with the herb is that it appears to be inconsistent in its commercial preparation, which means if you get a bad batch, it won’t do what it is supposed to. This herb can be most easily digested in tea form and has no known side effects when taken in this fashion.

Kava

Kava has a highly researched and documented ability to calm the nerves and reduce stress in both men and women. One of the most common causes of poor libido and sexual dissatisfaction is anxiety, tension, and other stress-related issues caused by relationships, work, or even the thought of the sexual performance in itself. For many men, it only takes one time for their tool to fail them, and they won’t be able to let that moment go in their mind. It will continue to effect them long after, causing them to develop what would appear to be a form of ED. The mind is a very powerful tool for improving health, but it can also be a factor in our own self-induced sexual dysfunctions if we let it. While Kava can help sexual dysfunction caused by self-induced mental issues, it will not show much, if any improvement, over an actual diagnosed case of ED. You may have heard of this supplements questionable legal status, but it is currently legal in most major countries, except for Canada and France, who just don’t know what they’re missing!

L-Arginine

This amino acid has been called a Viagra substitute for men and women. It works in both sexes by boosting the amount of blood flow through those whoopee-making organs. The increased blood flow for the man will offer him a longer, stronger erection, while for the woman it can aid in heightened stimulation. Men can take L-Arginine in herbal pill form, while many women report the best results are achieved by applying a cream directly where it counts.

Vitamin E

Some like to call vitamin E the “sex vitamin.” It gets this name for a couple of reasons. One, vitamin E has been said to aid in the production of sex hormones, which aids in attraction, desire, and mood. Two, it prevents age and disease, which of course indirectly boosts the longevity of anyone’s sexual lifestyle. Some women prefer to use Vitamin E as a lubricant during sex to heighten their experience considerably. Always make sure that the Vitamin E will not reduce the effectiveness of a condom, if using one, as latex is prone to disintegrate with certain oil-based lubricants.

Vitamins for your ( .)( .)

akhtar — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:26:27 +0000

Natural Breast Enlargement is a much safer and cheaper way to enlarge your breasts. In fact, breast enlargement surgery can cost $10,000 or more. There are many alternative, natural breast enlargement options on the market today for you to choose from though. Let’s look at some of the most popular herbs included in these and why…
Feneugreek Seed Extract contains some of the highest concentrations of the plant elements recommended by herbalists for breast enlargement. Also hormone regulator that that has been used to treat menopausal symptoms and balances the female system.
Fennel Seed is rich in flavonoids that cause estrogenic effects. This boosting of secretion is key to the formation of new breast cells and tissue, and the boosting of excretion is key to the cleansing of the estrogen receptor sites which get clouded with environmental toxins that mimic estrogen. By acting to remove these and other toxins from the body, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well.
Dong Quai Root aids the body in the efficient use of hormones. Also used as treatment for some menopause symptoms and it’s been used successfully to alleviate PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and menopausal symptoms (Hardy 2000). Scientists believe that one mechanism of action of Dong Quai is to promote natural progesterone synthesis. Progesterone (to be discussed in more detail later) is another hormone whose production declines at menopause. The plant nutrients can help to wash these out of the system, aiding in increasing the health of the breast tissue.
Blessed Thistle Herb is used to treat a variety of female concerns including painful menstruation and associated aches and pains. Also used as a hormonal regulator and aid in digestion and circulation. Because of it’s powerful estrogenic properties, it is chiefly used now for nursing mothers, the warm infusion scarcely ever failing to procure a proper supply of milk. It is considered one of the best medicines which can be used for this purpose.
Dandelion Root is a perennial plant found almost everywhere. Dandelion root effects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. This boosting of secretion is key to the formation of new breast cells and tissue, and the boosting of excretion is key to the cleansing of the estrogen receptor sites which get clouded with environmental toxins that mimic estrogen. By acting to remove these and other toxins from the body, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well.
Watercress Leaf. J.E. Meyers, Botanical Gardens of Hammond, Indiana informs us that Watercress is one of the best sources of vitamin E. This is the fertility vitamin, essential to breast enlargement, Vitamin E helps the body to use oxygen, which increases physical endurance and stamina and improves heart response.
L-Tyrosine is a direct precursor to Thyroxine, a primary thyroid hormone, as well as Adrenaline and Nor-adrenaline. Thyroxine has been found to increase metabolic rate and control growth rate. L-Tyrosine is a necessary amino acid in the production of neurotransmitters including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. L-Tyrosine also appears to have a mild stimulatory effect on the central nervous system.
Kelp is the common name for seaweed. It absorbs fats and has been shown to have efficacy for obesity, cellulitis and rheumatism. It is rich in nutrients, containing 30 minerals, so it is especially beneficial for anyone who is mineral deficient. It is reported to be beneficial for the brain and nervous system and the spinal chord. Kelp contains iodine which stimulates the thyroid. Kelp has also been reported to improve skin, nails and hair, protect against radiation, soften stools and treat obesity and ulcers.
Vitamin E, an anti-oxidant, plays a role in the body’s ability to utilize oxygen. It also protects Vitamin A from destruction in the body and unsaturated fats from abnormal breakdown. Vitamin E prolongs the life of red blood cells and promotes cell respiration and is reported to be the anti-aging vitamin. In addition, Vitamin E helps minimize scarring and assists in the healing of wounds, retards blood clotting, keeps youthful elasticity in tissues and alleviates hot flashes and menopausal distress.
So there you have it. Using natural breast enlargement herbal supplements not only makes your breasts larger, it can also help alleviate many of the common health problems women have.

What is the Best Form of Vitamin D Supplement?

akhtar — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:15:17 +0000

Houghton, in a 2006 article appearing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition18 points out that vitamin D2, the synthetic variety used for fortification of milk and foods, is inferior to the natural form, vitamin D3 for several reasons. He suggests D2 “should not be regarded as a nutrient suitable for supplementation or fortification.” Authors Goldberg, and Cantorna, show it is very important to take adequate calcium and magnesium along with vitamin D3 supplementation as the three balance each other.

Daily Adequate Intake of Vitamin D

akhtar — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:13:37 +0000

Age	Children	Men	Women	Pregnancy	Lactation
Birth to 13 years	200 IU
14 to 18 years	200 IU	200 IU	200 IU	200 IU	200 IU
19 to 50 years	200 IU	200 IU	200 IU	200 IU	200 IU
51 to 70 years		400 IU	400 IU
71 + years		600 IU	600 IU

What is the Recommended Intake for Vitamin D?

akhtar — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:12:04 +0000

The RDA, developed by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences,⁴ recommends the average daily intake that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of healthy individuals in each age and gender group. An Adequate Intake (AI) is set when there is insufficient scientific data available to establish a RDA.

The Institute of Medicine determined there was insufficient scientific information to establish a RDA for vitamin D. Instead, the recommended intake is listed as an Adequate Intake (AI), which represents the daily vitamin D intake that should maintain bone health and normal calcium metabolism in healthy people. Vitamin D AI for infants, children, and adults, are listed below in International Units.⁴