Vitamins for Wellness

Robert Tell :


You may well have drugs in your tap water.

If you drink bottled water, don’t be reassured. Forty percent of bottled water is just bottled tap water — and the rest is largely unregulated for quality.

The evidence that we have prescription drugs in tap water from public water supplies has been around for years, but got a lot of attention just this year when the Associated Press published the results of a five-month investigation.

The AP reported:

– Traces of epilepsy drugs, birth control pills and other hormones, painkillers, psychiatric drugs, asthma drugs, and many others have been found in public water supplies.

– Besides pharmaceuticals in drinking water, many over-the-counter drugs and compounds from shampoos, detergents and deodorants were found in drinking water, too. The substances have been found almost everywhere researchers have looked for them.

The amount of drugs in tap water is almost always very small — but often there are many combinations of drugs in any given water sample.

Danger from drugs in tap water: an unanswered question

There’s no proof that drugs in our tap water are harmful. The problem is, nobody knows. Benjamin H. Grumbles, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistant administrator for water, said, “We recognize it is a growing concern and we’re taking it very seriously.”

There are many sources of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, experts believe. Hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and people like you and I often dispose of drugs that are no longer wanted or needed by flushing them down the sink or toilet. Some 40 percent of the antibiotics manufactured in the US are used as growth stimulants for livestock, and their manure might well be a source of drugs in tap water. Leaking septic tanks are another possible source.

Increasing numbers of communities across the country are setting up ways for consumers to return pharmaceuticals for disposal, often by incineration. It’s still not clear if incineration is better for the environment than the slow seepage from a landfill, cautions the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

But as an imperfect, compromise solution, it’s believed that wrapping up unneeded drugs and placing them in the garbage is much better than flushing them.

So early in 2009, Fish and Wildlife will team with the American Pharmacists Association for a drug disposal campaign. The plan is to advise us all to mix unwanted drugs with used cat litter, then put the mixture in the garbage. That’s to discourage dumpster digging by drug addicts.

What we can do about drugs in tap water

Since nobody knows what the danger is from drugs in tap water, it makes sense to be cautious, but not extreme. The long-known hazards to drinking water — pollution from insecticides and weed killers, lead and PCBs — are at least as important a concern. So here are some practical things you can do:

1. Skip the bottled water. At a cost ranging from just under a dollar (for cheap gallon jugs at the supermarket, guaranteed to be just tap water anyway) up to $10 a gallon, it’s the world’s worst and most expensive answer to drugs in tap water. More than 80 percent of the bottles end up in landfills; chemicals leach from the plastic bottle into the water and may affect our health; and the petroleum used to make bottles in the US would fuel about 100,000 cars each year.

2. Don’t flush unneeded drugs down the toilet. If you can, turn them in to a local collection center to be disposed of, often by incineration. Or dump them into used kitty litter before disposing of it. If you don’t have a cat, just do the best you can by wrapping the drugs and disposing of them with the rest of your garbage, in this case, the yuckier the garbage, the better.

3. Don’t use deodorants or other personal care items containing the antibiotic triclosan.

4. If you can afford it, consider organic meats, raised without a diet of antibiotics.

5. Consider a quality home water filter. Then bottle your own water if you wish. Use a glass container or one of a few water bottles on the market that aren’t plastic. Water from the best home filters will typically cost a few pennies a gallon.

Diets In Review :


Since when was getting a raw deal a good thing? When you decide to try the Raw Food Diet, apparently. Proponents of this natural food diet stick to unprocessed uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, dried fruit, and seaweed.

Most adherents are vegetarian, while some eat raw fish and even fewer eat (gulp!) raw meat. Either way, you may as well say bye-bye to that new stainless steel stove of yours. That’s because raw food proponents believe that heating any food above 116 degrees Fahrenheit destroys important enzymes that help in digestion and absorption of the essential nourishment you get from your meals.

Critics claim that even if enzymes are inactivated when food is heated, the body uses its own enzymes for digestion. They also point out that cooking makes some phytochemicals easier to absorb into your system.

Regardless of which side you stand on, the emphasis on natural, non-processed food sources, is undeniably a good place to start.

So, are you still interested in trying the raw eating lifestyle? Since this is a pretty drastic change in your eating habits, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and nausea when you first give up sugar and caffeine. But don’t fret; it should only last a couple days. You may also risk some nutritional deficiencies such as protein, calcium and iron, so consider consulting your doctor first.

Pat Carpenter :

Green foods have recently become a focus of modern natural health practices across Texas and the United States. Juice bars and natural health food markets in Austin, Dallas, and Houston boast smoothies with spirulina, vegetable juices with chlorella, and power shots of wheatgrass. Naturopaths have been known to prescribe super green foods to aid in the treatment of diseases ranging from asthma, to HIV, to lupus. While the incredibly rich mossy color of these supplements don’t always look appealing, most of us think, “Well, it’s probably good for me anyway.” But just how good may prove surprising. Better yet, you don’t even need a health insurance policy to cover it.

One pound of wheatgrass is the nutritional equivalent of twenty-five pounds of quality vegetables. Blue-green algaes, such as spirulina, have not only high levels of vitamins and minerals, but, pound for pound, more protein than meat or soybeans, and in laboratory tests, have proven instrumental in increasing the survival rate of cancer-infected mice. Alfalfa, a common ingredient in livestock feed, actually contains all known vitamins. Most of the time, only a teaspoon or tablespoon is required to gain nutritional benefit, and, really, we’re just starting to figure out the health benefits of these super foods.

While consuming these power greens may make our health insurance companies and spouses happy, most of us have trouble enough just pronouncing their names. It can be a bit confusing to figure out which green food does what. To make life a little simpler, here is a basic overview of some of the most popular super green foods, which can be easily located in the supplement section of any major natural health food market in Texas:

(1) Alfalfa

Some would argue that alfalfa, though a green food, is not a “super green food.” Many practitioners disagree. This well-known, seemingly ordinary grass, often fed to livestock and horses across Texas, is one of the most mineral-rich foods on the planet. Its roots can grow as deep as 130 feet, and in addition to all known vitamins, contains chlorophyll (considered highly nutritious when processed correctly), calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. The minerals are present in a balanced form, which allows for maximum absorption.

Alfalfa is available in liquid, capsule, tablet, powder, and, of course, as the plant itself. It has been used to treat diseases ranging from arthritis to anemia, to bleeding gums, to cancer, and, like all other green foods, is still under study to discover the extent of its healing properties.

(2) Barley Grass

Containing iron, all essential amino acids, chlorophyll, flavonoids, vitamin B12, vitamin C, minerals, and enzymes, barley grass, too, is an often overlooked green food. It is highly nutritious, has been used to help treat stomach and intestinal disorders, and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory.

(3) Chlorella

One of the few edible species of water-grown algae, chlorella is virtually a complete food in and of itself. Its massive quantities of chlorophyll and protein in ratio to its size make it a power-punch for those lacking protein, as well as a storehouse of nutrition, with high levels of all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, amino acids, and rare trace minerals.

Chlorella offers more B12 than liver per serving, and speeds the cleansing of the bloodstream. Its high RNA and DNA content are also believed to be agents in the fight against the effects of ultraviolet radiation. A good chlorella source needs to be factory processed, however, as its tough cell wall makes it difficult for the body to access its nutrients.

(4) Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll, while available in many forms as a separate nutrient, is also listed as a powerful component within many green foods. At first this may seem odd. After all, most in Texas and across the United States were taught that chlorophyll is a plant food, bound within a tough cell wall, and of little use to humans. And while it is true that chlorophyll usually needs to be processed in order to be more easily accessible to our bodies, research reports great benefits when properly consumed.

A better understanding of the cell structure itself has shed light on the situation. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells, whose central metallic atom is iron. The main, and quite simple, difference between a molecule of hemoglobin and a molecule of chlorophyll is that chlorophyll’s central metallic atom is, instead, magnesium. The two may, in fact, be so similar as to someday justify treatments for certain types of anemia with chlorophyll; experiments on anemic animals reported a return to normal iron levels after four or five days of chlorophyll treatment.

(5) Kelp

Kelp may be a bit more familiar than other green foods, as it is a seaweed common in Asian cuisine, and is actually often used in toothpastes. It can be eaten raw, dried, granulated, or ground into powder. Granulated or powdered kelp is a tasty flavoring, and can be used as a salt substitute.

Like all green foods, kelp is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. It is especially useful for its high B-vitamin and iodine content, and has, consequently, been used to treat certain thyroid diseases — possibly a major contributing factor to the obesity epidemic seen in Dallas, Houston, and many other Texas regions. Kelp is thought to be additionally beneficial to brain tissues and their surrounding membranes, the sensory nerves, spinal cord tissue, nails, and blood vessels.

Iodine tablets are often given to those in high-risk jobs involving radiation to help protect against its effects in the event of an accident. Kelp, too, is believed to somewhat combat the effects of radiation, probably due to its high iodine content.

(6) Spirulina

One of the first microalgaes to gain public recognition, spirulina is considered by many to be a miracle food. This is one of the most popular green food supplements seen in Texas and across the United States. At 60-70% protein content, it produces twenty times more protein than soybeans on an equal area of land, and is unparalleled by any single grain, herb, or plant for its high nutrient content. Among its top nutrients are gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic and arachidonic acids, vitamin B12, essential amino acids, nucleic acids RNA and DNA, chlorophyll and phycocyanin — a blue pigment found only in blue-green algae and proven to increase the survival rate of laboratory mice with certain types of cancer.

Research is still underway, but many practitioners claim its power to enhance the immune system, reduce cholesterol, and aid in mineral absorption. With its high protein and nutrient content, spirulina is especially helpful to hypoglycemics and those who are fasting. The super food has been used to assist in the treatment of cancer and HIV, as well as many other serious diseases affecting nutrient absorption and the immune system.

(7) Wheatgrass

Its name makes wheatgrass sound a bit like a genetically-modified new addition to the ever-growing scheme of biological experimentation, but it is, in fact, nothing of the kind. Popularized by Dr. Ann Wigmore, founder of the Hippocrates Health Institute, wheatgrass is a growing international phenomena, with its great variety of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Doctors like Wigmore have been promoting wheatgrass for over a decade and, indeed, most would claim a definite boost of energy after a single serving. It has been used as an important part of therapies used to treat wide-ranging diseases, including cancer, immunological disorders, and mental health problems. Overall, it’s just a great supplement for anyone, providing a healthy shot of much-needed vitamins and a kick of natural energy. Who needs coffee?

Green foods of any kind – be they kale, broccoli, or arugula — are highly nutritious, highly beneficial, and do nothing but good things for your body. But this new era of discovering super green foods just may make nutrition on- the- go that much easier for super busy Americans, with little time to cook and prepare the nutritious meals we crave. The best recommendation is to start slowly. Mix a teaspoon of powdered super greens into a large, thick, sweet smoothie. This will help you acclimate to the taste while gaining that power-punch of vitamins. Or, like so many, just shoot it. Ask for a single serving of freshly juiced wheatgrass at your local juice bar, throw it down your gullet, and see what an energy kick you get for the day. After all, your nutrition is in your hands, and it may be just a teaspoon away.

What nutrients you put into your body will certainly affect your health as you age, and eventually your wallet as well.

Steven A Johnson :


Everyone has stress in their daily life, and everyone’s body responds differently to stress. When you experience stress, the brain responds by a variety of different responses, these include releasing different chemicals to our blood stream. What this does is give us a momentary boost to do whatever needs to be done to survive. However, if left unchecked, you could have a heart attack or stroke.

Stress is one of the reasons that many people turn to drinking alcohol. The cycle begins with them getting depressed, then they may find it difficult to fall asleep, soon they may even experience chest pain. In extreme cases the body loses the ability to fight diseases. So, possibly these people could die of a disease, such as cancer, pneumonia, etc. Unfortunately stress can never be identified as the cause of the death. The way it happens is that some other disease will always takes the blame for it. Our body’s ability to cope with stress is called General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).

Doctors have stated that there are three stages to GAS. The First stage of GAS is called alarm reaction. During this stage the body produces and releases adrenaline and various other psychological mechanisms. These are chemicals intended to combat the stress and to keep you in control. This term is called fight or flight response. The reactions that occur are the muscles begin tensing up, the heart starts to beat faster, and breathing and perspiration increase, the eyes dilate, the stomach may clench. Believe it or not, this response is to protect you in case the event of an emergency. When the cause of the stress is removed, the body will return to normal. In the case of the cause for the stress is not removed, the GAS go proceed to a second stage which is called resistance or adaptation.

In stage two of GAS the body reacts to long term protection. It will start to secrete an increased amount of hormones that serve to increase blood sugar levels. Higher elevated blood sugar levels are used to sustain energy and raise blood pressure. The adrenal cortex produces hormones called corticosteroids for stage two of GAS. Constant overuse by the body’s defense mechanism will eventually lead to disease because of this phase. In the case of phase two continuing for a prolonged period of time without frequent periods of relaxation and rest to counterbalance the stress response, sufferers can become prone to fatigue. Other effects include lapses in concentration; irritability and lethargy develop as the effort to sustain ones self slides into negative stress.

The third stage of GPS is called exhaustion, during this stage, the body runs out of its reserve of body energy and immunity becomes depleted. Resources such as mental, physical and emotional suffer heavily. The body begins to experience adrenal exhaustion. The blood sugar levels start to decrease as the adrenal glands become depleted. This leads to decreased stress tolerance, mental and physical exhaustion, or in the worst case scenario, illness and collapse.

The importance of maintaining low stress levels and keeping your mind active and healthy cannot be emphasized enough! By learning how to successfully combat stress you can lead a fuller richer life. One such product designed to help the battle against stress and promote focus and concentration is Focus Excel by Micronutra. Focus Excel is specially formulated to contain the safest of ingredients that have been used by millions for thousands of years!

mamaofthesweetest4 asked:


I am thinking of purchasing Arbonne’s Hybrid vitamins, but they are very expensive, and its a total of 12 vitamins a day. I give my children thier childrens hybrids, and have noticed a huge difference in thier appetite, and over all health and energy. I am still scepticle to try for myself b/c most vitamins make me sick on my stomache, and I hate taking pills. Anyone here tried them?

sleepsheepnyc asked:


I started out with generic GNC brand prenatal vitamins. Then, my doctor gave me a prescription. But it doesn’t help. Whenever I take them, whether in the morning, or right before sleep, I get so sick. I hardly have any morning sickness, but the only time when I throw up is about 10 minutes after I take those vitamins. What can I do? What foods can I eat to supplement for the nutrients that I am missing from my prenates? I started taking a separate folic acid supplement, which doesn’t make me sick, but what about all those other vitamins and minerals, especially iron and calcium? How can I supplement without getting so sick?

Josephina: Happily Married Momma asked:


I have been taking the same prenatal vitamins every day since last august. ( I wasn’t trying for a baby back then, I just took it as a just in case measure, to make sure my body was in perfect health for when I did get pregnant) Well, now I am alittle over 10 weeks pregnant and today I got sick and started throwing up from the vitamins. Normally I eat when I take them, this morning I didnt… and thats when I started getting sick. So I guess I am wondering is it because I didnt eat with the vitamins, or should I ask my doctor for different prenatal vitamins?

Also since I threw up the vitamins should I take another one, or just wait until tomorrow?
Thank you, everyone… I am going to go ahead and just take another prenatal vitamin tomorrow WITH FOOD and see what happens. Thanks.