vitamins with side effects
April 29, 2008
The Many Vitamins with Side Effects
All vitamins are generally beneficial to health. But there are kinds of vitamins that when administered in large doses will cause some side effects and even diseases. As a rule of thumb, both the deficiency and the excessive intake of vitamins are harmful. It is then important that only the right amount of these nutrients is administered to the body.
Vitamin A is believed to be the most toxic vitamin of all, if consumed inappropriately. If more than 25,000 IU of Vitamin A is taken in a day, you will experience loss of appetite and visible reduction of weight. There would also be notable bone malformations, internal bleedings, spontaneous fractures, and even liver toxicities. Pregnant mothers who have too much Vitamin A in their system are likely to deliver their babies with a particular birth defect.
The known side effect of too much Vitamin C would be gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea. Hyperacidity and other stomach-related problems are common too. Those who have history of having stones in their kidneys are advised to consult with a doctor before taking any Vitamin C.
Vitamin E, even with their good oxidation properties, has harmful side effects too. Anything higher than 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin E in the body will interfere with normal blood clotting. And if this much is taken on a daily basis, nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness, and diarrhea can be expected.
Vitamin D has a potential to be as toxic as Vitamin A. The most damaging side effect it causes would be bone lesions. Those who have taken too much Vitamin D, even if it they did on at a single time would surely experience the toxicities associated with Vitamin D.
Vitamin B has different types. Of them all, Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin B-12 are the ones that may just have some prominent side effects. Vitamin B-6 is believed to cause reversible neuropathy if more than 500 milligrams are taken each day, for a prolonged period of time. Note that the RDA for this vitamin is only 2 milligrams per day. Vitamin B-12, on the other hand, is the vitamin that is known to trigger allergic reactions when taken in relatively high doses.
These aren’t all the vitamins that produce side effects. In essence, each one of them, including all kinds of nutrients and minerals, have side effects if taken improperly. It is but appropriate to always consult with a doctor every time a nutritional supplement is needed.
vitamins for workers with strenuous jobs
April 25, 2008
Strained? Have some Vitamins
Feeling stressed out at work perhaps its about time that you try some stress tablets.
Stress tablets are here to relieve your body of the stress you feel when you are working hard, day or night.
Stress tablets are multivitamin tablets that address the strain that you feel from strenuous physical activity. They try to solve the problem of stress by giving the body the extra strength it needs when engaging in strenuous physical or mind work. Stress tablets are effective in relieving physical and mental stress.
Multivitamins are a combination of the different major vitamin groups like vitamin A, B, C, D, and E. They help boost the systems of the body with energies they need and try to keep it away from being infected with unnecessary ailments which may cause problems to it. Multivitamins are great source of energy for people who need that extra energy whenever they are faced with difficult tasks to do and strenuous physical activities.
Milk is a good source of energy. It has a lot of vitamins which can give the body the energy it needs to work and function well. Milk has natural ingredients that could provide strength to the body and the muscles. It comes in liquid and powdered form which may be ingested and used in place of vitamins as a source of energy.
Eat a balanced diet. Protein gives the body the energy it needs as well as carbohydrates. Eat a balanced diet that will give you the energy you need to work and do serious physical activity. A balanced diet is your way of getting the energy you need to work and your way of keeping your body healthy and at its pristine state. A good diet will also keep you body healthy and keep all your systems functioning well. A healthy diet is one major key to having all the energy you need the whole day and night. Eat a balanced diet and you will be able to do the first step in relieving your self of the stress that you feel from working and doing serious physical activity.
Get all the exercise you can and get all the energy you can from food and water. Exercise helps relax the senses and the muscles. If you get enough exercise you will be able to rejuvenate your body to a good state that will help it function well and stay active. Exercise also helps in relieving your body of the strain it feels all over.
Combining all these things together will keep your body healthy and stress free. Taking the right vitamins and eating the right kind of food would keep it healthy and keep it away from the stress that serious physical activity brings. If you have the right kind of vitamins and the right kind of food in your system everyday, and the right amount of exercise, definitely, you will have a stress free body and stress free life.
atkins sugar cravings
April 24, 2008
Atkins and Sugar Cravings
Sugar is everywhere you look and it might pop up in some surprising places. Did you know that most whole grain breads have at least one form of sugar in them? We have a national sweet tooth epidemic. Even if you don’t eat a lot of sugary treats you may experience intense sugar cravings in the first few weeks of the Atkins diet. So many “healthy” carbohydrate foods have hidden sugars in them, your body may be experiencing withdrawal.
The problem with sugar is that your blood sugar is tied into your energy levels and your overall health. When your blood sugar is too low, you will experience intense cravings. High blood sugar is a result of eating high-sugar meals. When you eat concentrated sugar, your blood sugar will raise to high levels. Your pancreas thinks there is something wrong and then it secretes insulin to lower the blood sugar. As this happens more, you can create pre-diabetic conditions in your body as your pancreas becomes worn out and eventually cannot secrete insulin.
Fortunately, getting started on the Atkins diet plan can put a stop to this cycle. However, this doesn’t mean that sugar cravings go away automatically. Sugar products are everywhere and temptation is sometimes hard to fight.
The best way to approach sugar cravings is with planning. If you maintain a balance of protein, fat and fiber in your daily diet you will prevent blood sugar drops that lead to sugar cravings. Also, do not go too long between meals without eating. Snacks are an important part of keeping your blood sugar stable. Have some handy snacks like cheese, nuts, seeds and boiled eggs on hand with you so you can quickly stabilize your blood sugar without turning to sweet treats.
Sugar cravings can also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. When you are low on magnesium, you will crave chocolate and other sweets. Zinc and chromium can also stave off sugar cravings. If you aren’t taking a good multivitamin supplement with these minerals, start immediately. If you are and you are still experiencing cravings, consider trying additional supplements of these nutrients.
Another tactic is to brush your teeth. Many Atkins dieters find that brushing their teeth or using Listerine breath strips can help with cravings. Both methods will numb your mouth and prevent you from wanting to eat. Drinking two large glasses of water can also help eliminate cravings. If your stomach is full, then you’ll be less likely to reach for a sugary treat.
Sometimes out of sight, out of mind is the best approach. If you find yourself overcome with cravings while you are at home, get outside and take a walk. The distraction will have you forgetting your sugar craving in no time. Calling a friend for support or logging into an Atkins support forum can also go a long way toward preventing you from succumbing to sugar cravings.
Having a low-carb version of your favorite treat is another good idea. You are less likely to feel deprived if you can have a satisfying low carb treat. There are a wide variety of low-carb products available on the market that can beat your sweet tooth. Low-carb yogurt, chocolate, ice cream and candy can all help you stay on the Atkins plan and still get something sweet to eat.
Sugar cravings are a reality of following the Atkins plan, but the previous tips will help you overcome them and stay committed to your weight loss efforts.
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vitamins for women
April 21, 2008
Vitamins for Women that help
As women grow older a lot of problems arise. But don’t fret there are several solutions to the problems that may face you.
Vitamin E is known to beautify the skin. At a certain age the skin needs extra doses of vitamin E to keep it supple and in its pristine state. Vitamin E promises to boost the skin condition to making it look and feel younger. Vitamin E helps rejuvenate new skin cells as the cells dry out and fade into a not so good condition. It promotes new skin and helps make the skin look supple and younger looking.
Vitamin C is known for making strong bones and a healthy immune system. Vitamin c helps in reducing the advent of common colds and helps in giving the body the calcium it needs for healthy bones.
Stress tablets are vitamin supplements which helps relieve the body from stress and rejuvenate it from strenuous physical activity. Stress tablets are good vitamin supplements for people who engage in serious physical and mind activities. They help give the body extra energy for work and for leisure activities that include physical exercise or physical activity. These tablets works wonders on the body, that it rids it of the stress that you feel once you get to bed after taking them. Try them and you will feel that you have gotten rid of your stress in just one tablet. These are highly recommended for women who work outdoors and are very much career oriented. You need to feel relieved of stress and the only way to do that is take in one of these.
Multivitamins are combination vitamins which may include vitamin A, B, C, D or E. They help give the body extra energy for its activities. Multi vitamins are a good source of energy for people who need it and it gives the body the vitamins it needs that can’t be ingested from food. These food supplements are good for people who don’t want to eat a lot of solid food. It would be recommended for those who are on a liquid diet. Sometimes even if you have a lot of food taken into the body some necessary vitamins are still not ingested on the food that we eat. Multivitamins are the answer to that problem. It will solve all your vitamin needs for a days work or any day in your life.
There is no other better vitamin other than a balanced diet. Having a balanced diet would always give you the energy that you need for serious physical and mental activity. A balanced diet will provide the body the energy it needs to function at its best and its systems healthy at all times.
Try the vitamins together with a balanced diet and you will get the energy you need too keep the body working well and healthy at all times.
vitamins for toddlers
April 17, 2008
The Best Vitamins for Toddlers
Toddlers are kids aged one to two years old. At this age, they have only recently conquered the hardships of walking and will excitedly push their bodies to the limit to see how far and long they’ll be able to walk. Toddlers typically have formidable willpower but little skills, and these cause them to misbehave or become hyperactive. These qualities are why they have different vitamin requirements compared to infants and older children.
The Best Vitamins for Toddlers
At this stage, your toddler isn’t independent or mature enough to rebel against what you want him to eat. Thus, it would be easier for you to feed him a balanced diet. The right diet is generally able to give your toddler all the vitamins and minerals he needs.
Nevertheless, toddlers are small bundles of energy, and their incredible enthusiasm for life can make the benefits of a balanced diet inadequate.
Some toddlers are difficult to feed. Toddlers are easily bored and that’s why they want to do a lot of things; which mostly involve running around the house and you running after them at the same time. This makes it hard for you to feed them at regular intervals.
If your toddler is suffering from irregular eating habits, he probably needs to eat more foods rich in vitamins A, C, and D.
Vitamin A boosts your toddlers immune system while supporting cell development. It also gives your toddlers glowing healthy skin and good eyesight. Many toddlers are often found lacking in Vitamin A. It can be found in orange and yellow vegetables and fruits like mangoes, tomatoes, and peppers, as well as dairy products and dark green vegetables.
Vitamin C also boosts your toddlers immune system. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid helps your toddlers wounds to heal faster and benefit from stronger and healthier bones and tissues. It can be found in berries, vegetables, potatoes, and citrus fruits and juices. It helps the body absorb iron better and is commonly lacking in diets of toddlers who aren’t terribly fond of eating fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin D helps your toddler absorb calcium better, which consequently aid in the growth and development of bones and teeth. It also aids in absorption of other minerals like iron, zinc, phosphorous, and magnesium. It enhances the effects of vitamin A and facilitates kidney activities. Vitamin D can be found in dairy products and oily fish like sardines, tuna, and salmon.
If a balanced diet isn’t enough for your toddler, a multivitamin supplement should compensate what your toddlers diet is lacking.
atkins ketosis
April 14, 2008
Atkins and Ketosis
The basic principle of the Atkins diet is that a state of ketosis will help you burn your fat stores as energy. Many people, even those who are on low carbohydrate diets, don’t quite understand ketosis and why it works.
Most diets are calorie-reduction diets. They help you lose weight, but some of the weight is from fat and some of it is from lean muscle tissue. While you may look smaller on the scale, your metabolism is actually slowing down. The more muscle you lose the slower your metabolism will be. This makes losing weight more difficult and gaining weight back even simpler.
The Atkins diet, on the other hand, is carbohydrate restrictive. It creates a state of ketosis in your body that burns only fat, and not muscle. The primary source of your energy for your body will be fat in the form of ketones. Your liver will convert fat into ketones and it cannot be converted back. It will be excreted naturally.
Ketones are actual a normally and efficient source of fuel for the human body. They are created in the liver from the fatty acids that result from the breakdown of body fat. These only appear when there is an absence of glucose and sugar. In the Atkins diet, you reduce the amount of glucose and sugar that is in the bloodstream. As a result, your body produces ketones for fuel. When your body is creating ketones it is called ketosis.
There is a common misconception that following a ketogenic diet like Atkins is dangerous. The truth is that being in ketosis is a completely naturally state. The human body creates ketones to use as fuel in the absence of glucose.
In the Atkins diet book, Dr. Atkins suggests using ketone-testing strips to determine your state of ketosis during dieting. These small plastic strips are held in the urine stream and contain a special chemically treated absorptive pad. This pad will change color if ketones are present in the urine. With the presence of ketones, the strip will change varying shades of pink to purple. There is a color scale on the label of the bottle that will help you determine your ketone levels.
Ketone strips are available in any pharmacy and can be found among the diabetic supplies. In some stores, they are kept behind the counter so you may have to ask for them. You won’t need a prescription to buy them though. Once you open a package of ketosis strips they have a shelf life of 6 months. It may be helpful to mark the opening date on the box.
Ketone strips will let you know if you are progressing correctly on the Atkins diet. If you are following the Induction plan to the letter and aren’t seeing purple, don’t worry. Some people never show trace amounts of ketones or they may show just above the minimum line. As long as you are losing weight and inches then you are successfully using ketones. Also, if you’ve just exercised a few hours before using the strips, you may not see purple.
Some dieters may mistakenly believe that a dark purple result on the testing strips means that they are losing weight faster. Actually, the darkest purple color is a sign of dehydration. It means that your urine is too concentrated and you need to drink water.
Ketones come from fat in the bloodstream, whether it is fat that you eat or fat that you burn. So if you eat a meal heavy in fat and then immediately use a testing strip, then you’ll see a dark purple result. Use the strips as a guide, but don’t get hung up on the color.
Reaching a state of ketosis is key to success on the Atkins diet and it as simple as eliminating carbohydrates from the diet. Make sure to follow the eating plan correctly and use the ketone testing strips as needed.
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vitamins for the skin
April 13, 2008
Fabulous Reasons for Taking Vitamins for the Skin
Everybody would rather look young than wise. However, it is fact that nobody can stop the so-called dermatological clock But you can reduce its speed.
How? Take some vitamins. Vitamins are essential nutrients needed by the body to facilitate normal growth and body processes. At some point, vitamins also help curb the aging process, where skin matters most. Hence, taking vitamins for the skin will promote youthful glow and help decelerate aging.
Here’s how:
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C does two things in skin to help prevent wrinkles. It helps to neutralize damage from the suns rays, and helps the skin produce collagen, the protein that gives skin its strength.
Just taking vitamin C isn’t enough to counteract the harmful effects of sunlight, cigarettes, and pollution on skin. Some dermatologists now recommend daily application of a topical vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) skin-care product to help protect against damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
Vitamin C is the body’s major antioxidant, and it protects skin from damage by neutralizing free radicals that break down and even mutate cells. This process of oxidation causes iron to rust, tires to dry out, and skin to wrinkle.
2. Vitamin E
There is some scientific evidence that taking the natural form of vitamin E can decrease the damage done by the sun to the skin. So it may help prevent the conditions that could lead to skin cancer. Health experts recommend a vitamin E supplement of 400 IU (international units) a day as a dose that may help with protection.
Keep in mind that Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant known for protecting and revitalizing the skin. Hence, it can greatly help improve the skins condition and promote healthy skin.
3. Vitamin B6
Many women experience water retention about a week before the start of their periods. When your body’s realized that the egg hasn’t fertilized, the level of hormone progesterone drops. This causes your body to store excess salt and fluid.
Some people may find that vitamin B6 will help get rid of retained fluid. Vitamin B6 is considered a natural diuretic and can be helpful, especially prior to a woman’s period. Hence, health experts recommend 100-500 milligrams per day. The best sources of vitamin B6 are plantains, poultry, avocados, and bananas.
Vitamins for the skin will always bring good results. So whatever you do, always make it a point to feed your skin with good nutrients and take vitamins regularly.
vitamins for teenagers
April 9, 2008
Vitamins for Teenagers
Vitamins are substances needed by your body to stay healthy. Some vitamins are stored in your body while others are found in fruits and vegetables. Teenagers have different vitamin needs from kids and adults because of the adolescent changes their bodies are undergoing and the commonly hectic pace of their lives.
The Best Vitamins for Teenagers
Vitamin A Teenagers need lots of this as it helps improve their vision and skin, both of which are critical considering the amount of eye strain they get from frequently using the computer, watching TV, and playing videogames and acne troubles they usually suffer from at this stage. Vitamin A is also a good way of protecting the body from the various side effects of having irregular eating schedules.
Teenage guys and girls need 900mg and 700mg respectively of Vitamin A everyday. Vitamin A can be found in orange fruits and vegetables as well as milk and liver.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) This vitamin isn’t only good for the skin but also helps in converting food to energy, something teenagers definitely need to cope with their highly active lifestyles.
Niacin can be found in fish, poultry, peanuts, and cereals. Teenage guys and girls need 16mg and 14mg of it respectively everyday.
Vitamin D It’s never too early to start protecting and fortifying your bones. Athletic teenagers should be especially concerned since sports generally subject their bones to pain and pressure. Teenagers need 5mg of Vitamin D everyday, and this can be found in milk, fish oils, and egg yolk.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) This vitamin is what will get teenagers going as they enjoy various recreational activities while meeting the academic demands of school. Vitamin C also keeps their bones, blood vessels, teeth, and gums healthy. Besides oranges which are arguably the most popular source of vitamin C; it can also be found in grapefruit, spinach, red berries, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Teenage guys and girls need 75g and 65g of ascorbic acid respectively everyday.
Vitamin E An antioxidant, this vitamin is a teenagers main defense from the various harmful toxins found at home and in the external environment in general. Vegetables, nuts, and whole grains are excellent sources of Vitamin E. Teenage guys and girls need a daily intake of 15mg of this vitamin.
As long as your teenager is able to stick with a balanced diet everyday, he or she won’t have to take additional vitamin supplements.
vitamins for students
April 5, 2008
Vitamins for Students: Check it Out Before its Too Late
Vitamins are, in general, essential for everybody. Whether you are a student, an athlete, a mother, or a baby, you need vitamins to facilitate normal body processes and proper functioning of the body.
However, the kind and amount of vitamins to be taken will depend on age and activities. So for students, here are some pointers you need to know about vitamins:
1. Know what you need
Be aware of your daily nutritional requirement. In this way, you will know the correct amount of nutrients your body needs. This may depend on your age.
Keep in mind that in as much as lack of vitamins may cause deficiencies, excessive amounts of vitamin intake may also cause some serious health problems. For instance, lack of vitamin C may cause scurvy or other gum problems. Reports show that most teenagers are affected by vitamin C deficiency.
On the other hand, excessive intake of vitamin A may cause liver problems.
2. Take vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for normal functioning of the eyes. Statistics show that nearly 70% of students who are visually impaired have poor class performance or low grades.
Vitamin A also provides added protection and prevents infection. In this way, parents are assured of their children’s health.
3. Improve memory by taking B vitamins
Studies show that vitamins B6, B12, and folate help improve memory performance and other mental processes. With this, students can perform better in school, particularly during examinations and other mental activities.
These vitamins eliminate stress development, which can affect proper functioning of the brain. B vitamins are also known to protect the nerves, thereby, facilitating the normal functioning of the nervous system.
4. Vitamins for proper metabolism
Reports show that nearly half of the student population doesn’t get the proper nutrients they need. Needless to say, the majority of them are obese or under nourished. That’s because most students prefer to eat junk foods rather than nutritious foods.
Consequently, obesity is gradually becoming prominent in students, especially in teenagers.
To stop this problem, health experts recommend daily vitamin intake to increase the metabolic rate of the body. This will facilitate the burning of fats and calories.
Vitamins for students aren’t just important because they promote health and proper growth and development. Vitamins for students also help improve their mental processes, which will enable them to get good grades or better school performance.
atkins intestinal problems
April 4, 2008
Atkins and Intestinal Problems
The major complaint of those who use the Atkins diet is the intestinal problems that are associated with reducing carbohydrates. These problems can include constipation and diarrhea. These symptoms can happen to anybody at some point, but those who follow a low-carb diet are especially prone.
Most commonly dieters will experience diarrhea during the early days of induction. This is a result of the body getting rid of excess carbohydrates. It also marks the beginning of the ketosis process. So in actuality, experiencing diarrhea at the beginning of the diet is a good thing. It indicates that you are on the road to becoming a fat burning machine.
Constipation is a side effect of lack of fiber in the low carb diet. Whole grains, legumes and fruit are the normal sources of dietary fiber, and they are all restricted on the Atkins diet’s initial phases.
However, you shouldn’t be scared off from the low-carb way of life because of these issues. There are simple solutions that can prevent and help with these symptoms and allow you to continue with staying on the diet plan.
The first tip is to make sure to include the proper amount of low-carb vegetables in your daily diet. In the induction phase, you can eat up to 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. This is roughly equal to 3 cups of salad vegetables. Some people are tempted to use their carbohydrate grams on cheese or artificially sweetened soda. Eating acceptable vegetables is a vital part of maintaining intestinal health while following the Atkins plan. It’s also important to drink a minimum of 8 eight-ounce glasses of water per day and get exercise. Both of these steps can help with intestinal programs.
If you are experiencing constipation specifically, then there are many methods for relief. When you switch from a diet full of processed and refined sugar products, your body will need some time to adjust to this new way of eating. You’ll need to make sure to up your fiber intake with acceptable vegetables and fruits certain fruits are allowed after the initial induction phase. You can also try a fiber supplement like sugar-free Metamucil.
Make sure you are eating enough fats and oils. Constipation can be a result of too little fat in your diet. Adding tablespoon of olive oil or flax oil to salads or other vegetables can help your intestinal health. Also, try to incorporate a variety of vegetables in your salad. Pale iceberg lettuce does not have much fiber in it. Try dark green lettuces or have a serving of dark green steamed veggies broccoli, asparagus or spinach are good choices.
If these tips don’t work, try cutting out all salt from your diet for a couple of days. This includes pickles, mustard, diet soda, ham, bacon and bottled salad dressing. This will decrease your fluid retention and sometimes helps with bowel movements.
Diarrhea should not be a problem after the first week of the Induction plan. However, on rare occasion, it does persist longer. First, analyze your diet. If you are eating low carb protein bars or other sugar free products, eliminate them. They may contain sweeteners like glycerine, sorbitol and malitol which are known to cause diarrhea and gas. Homemade low carb desserts may also be a cause of problems. Most of them use maltodextrin, an artificial sweetener used in baking. Maltodextrin is made from corn and can cause problems for some people.
If you are not used to eating raw vegetables everyday, this may be a cause of diarrhea. Understand that your body will adjust to the vegetables and the intestinal side effects won’t last forever. Make sure you are chewing your raw vegetables thoroughly. Also, using lightly steamed vegetables rather than raw can be a solution to this problem.
Intestinal problems are common during the first portion of the Atkins diet. Keep in mind, however, that these problems will go away within the first few weeks of the new way of eating. If the problems persist, try the previously mentioned tips to get relief.
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