Vitamins for Wellness

Brenda Williams

Zinc is one of the minerals that are found naturally in our bodies and important for many bodily functions. Zinc is required at a cellular level to help in cell division and also assists in liver function and expediting the healing of wounds. Zinc is also important in the process of how our body metabolizes carbohydrates and assists in preventing infections and diseases from taking over the body. It is one of the most important minerals as it assists in regulating the immune system and is very important in brain function. Interestingly enough, one of the most important tasks of zinc within the body is to synthesize DNA.

We need zinc within our body to help regulate our genes as zinc assists in the processes of binding the DNA to create new DNA and how hormones and neurons are released within our body.

We know that zinc is crucial in the development of cells – and one of the most important places within our body that cells develop is within our immune system. Many choose to take zinc supplements as a boost to the immune system, especially during cold and flu season. More than one hundred enzymes within the body, not just the immune system, require zinc to perform their function.

In the average adult human body we will find two to three grams of zinc at any given time. Most of the zinc can be found within the muscle tissue, and in the bone. Most adults will not require zinc supplements should they consume a healthy diet laden with fruits, vegetables and sources of protein.

Males require higher levels of zinc within the body because it is released each time the male ejaculates. Semen contains the highest levels of zinc within the body – and the more sexually active the male, the more zinc that he will require within the body.

Studies have been completed of late that have shown children to be born with natural zinc deficiencies. Apparently the children have been born with a genetic disorder that inhibits the system from transporting zinc throughout the body. Not only do these infants show delayed motor and neurological development, they have shown to have more susceptibility to life threatening infections.

When choosing a diet it is important to consume foods that contain high levels of the vitamins and minerals that our bodies require. Some foods that contain high levels of zinc are; oysters, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, mushrooms, seafood, herring, sardines, milk, ginger, whole grains, alfalfa, egg yolks, and legumes,.

What is the average recommended daily intake of zinc that adults should be consuming? Adult women should have an average of seven milligrams of zinc per day and adult males should be consuming at least nine point five milligrams daily. The risk is higher for women than males of having a zinc deficiency, especially if the women are breastfeeding or malnourished due to an eating disorder. Those receiving intravenous feedings are at a higher risk for zinc deficiency as well.
Vitamins should only be taken at the recommended daily dose and should not contain levels higher than daily recommended – or zinc overdose can occur, which is toxic to the body. Too much zinc can interfere with how the body processes other minerals, and cause symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting.

If both zinc and iron supplements are taken at the same time, they interfere with each other’s activity, they need to be taken at different times. While zinc enhances the immune system, if too much is taken, it depresses the immune system. Far better to obtain zinc from dietary sources. Because whole grains contain phytates, they can interfere with zinc absorption. All whole grains and legumes should be soaked overnight to remove the phytates.

Jenny asked:


Hyaluronic Acid

Joint Fluid Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid (Joint Fluid) is the key lubricating component of synovial (joint) fluid found in your joints. Hyaluronic Acid is found throughout the body, but is concentrated in joints. Hyaluronic Acid is made from Glucosamine building blocks converted into a very long, linear molecule that folds on itself to form a spherical shape in joint fluid. Hyaluronic Acid thus occupies large volumes, giving lubricating properties to joint fluid. This allows cartilage in joints to easily glide over each other, leading to smooth movements. Hyaluronic Acid is more than just lubrication. Hyaluronic Acid also acts as a signaling message in joints, telling joint cells whether more Hyaluronic Acid needs to be produced. Hyaluronic Acid also forms the backbone of aggrecan, which is a key component of cartilage itself. Aggrecan is a proteoglycan, which is the scientific term for the molecules that contain Chondroitin Sulfates, giving cartilage its property of resiliency and ability to hold water.In addition, Hyaluronic Acid is used extensively in the cosmetic industry and by dermatologists in anti-aging and moisturizing products due to its hydroscopic (absorbs and retains water) properties. In fact, Hyaluronic Acid can absorb more than 1,000 times its weight in water allowing it to hydrate the skin and other areas that it contacts. In addition to its hyper-hydration properties, hyaluronic acid is also known for its role in wound healing and in the prevention of scarring. Hyaluronic Acid is the extra-cellular matrix (the fluid between skin cells) that acts as the transportation system for the cascade of events that happen in wound healing. Supplementation with Hyaluronic Acid helps to restore cushioning protection in the joint. Hyaluronic acid is also found in all connecting tissues of the body, such as ligaments and tendons, where it performs special functions of lubrication.

Reiner Hoyer:

For over 2000 years, Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidium) have been considered by the Chinese to be a high quality herbal medicine. In traditional Chinese medical theory, Reishi or Lingzhi is among the highest ranking . It improves overall health, increases the body’s healing ability, promotes longevity and does not cause any side effects even though it is taken continuously. According to Li Shi-Zhen, the famous physician and pharmacologist in Chinese history, long-term consumption of Reishi will promote a strong and healthy body and assure longevity. It has been proven by modern medical research that Reishi has a wide range of beneficial effects. Its main function is to promote blood circulation and increase the metabolic activities of cells (detoxification) and also helps with the proper functioning of all internal organs (balance the body functions).

Important elements found in Reishi

Through modern scientific analysis, there are more than 300 active elements found in Reishi. The main active elements are:

i)Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides stimulate or modulate the immune system by activating the immune cells such as macrophage and helper T-cells as well as increase the levels of immunoglobulin (antibodies) in fighting the unwanted foreign cells such as bacteria, viruses etc. It helps to cleanse the toxins from the body, strengthen the natural healing ability of the body, convert abnormal cells into normal cells and strengthen the resistance of the body thus improving overall health. Experiments at the Drug Research Institute in Toyama, Japan confirmed that polysaccharides in Reishi are responsible for immune enhancement. In Japan, Reishi extract has been reported to be effective in treating patients with liver failure.

ii)Triterpenoids

Triterpenoids are responsible for Reishi´ss bitter taste and several of its beneficial properties. This component improves blood pressure and increases blood lipids. Triterpenoids have a kind of harmonizing effect on the body especially on the immune and the circulatory system. It gives Reishi an adaptogenic quality, providing the person with protection from a wide range of biological, environmental and social stresses.

iii)Adenosine

Adenosine improves blood circulation by inhibiting blood platelet aggregation. An earlier study done by a team of researchers from Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that Reishi improved the function of red blood cells in transferring oxygen. They related this finding to the adenosine in Reishi.

Adenosine also helps in lowering the cholesterol level and regulates metabolism and hence promotes vigor and vitality.

In today´s world, a large proportion of the population is constantly in the state of ´pre-illness´s due to environmental pollution, stresses and unhealthy lifestyle such as consuming diets which are high in fats, cholesterol, sugar, salt and chemical additives. Under these circumstances, it is wise to prevent any deterioration in health rather than seek a cure after illness prevails. As recorded in the oldest Chinese medical text, Reishi is to be used for preventive measures rather than a cure. Therefore, Reishi is the best solution for modern day health problems.

Jeff Behar :


About the Alkaline Diet

Eating alkaline foods or starting an alkaline diet refer to consuming those foods and drink which have an alkaline effect on the body. This effect is based upon the ash residue that remains after our foods are consumed.  Some foods leave an acid ash, whereas others leave an alkaline ash. Conveniently for us, our bodies have been designed to categorize which foods leave which kind of ash into the body.

The Alkaline diet (also known as the alkaline acid diet and the acid alkaline diet) is a controversial dietary protocol based on the consumption of mainly fresh fruit, vegetables, roots and tubers, nuts, and legumes and avoiding grains, dairy, meat and excess salt, in order to balance the acidity and alkalinity (the “pH balance”) of one’s body.

In recent years it has been a popular topic among authors of diet and nutrition.

How the Alkaline Diet Works

The alkaline diet offers a simple, basic understanding of what causes the body to become ‘out of balance’. Through what has become the typical Western diet largely based around meat, dairy, sugars, alcohol, saturated fats and caffeine, millions of us have created a hostile, acidic environment within our bodies.

The pH level of our internal fluids affects every living cell in our bodies and the effect that over-acidification can have upon the health of our bodies is immense, with a chronically over acidic pH creating an extremely negative environment which affects all cellular functions from the beatings of the heart to the neural workings of the brain.

When our pH level is unbalanced, almost any area of our bodies can be negatively affected creating results such as cancer, heart disease, obesity, weight problems, allergies, fatigue and premature aging as well as problems with our nervous system, cardiovascular system and muscles.

Goals

The nature of body varies but most of us should aim to eat 75-80% alkaline foods and a maximum of 20-25% acid forming foods.

What Food is Allowed

To begin to alkaline diet it is important to start consuming alkaline foods and drinks while eliminating acidifying foods and drinks from your diet. As a rough guide you should try to remember:

* Vegetables (spinach, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, cucumber, lettuce, courgette, cabbage, greens, swede, squash (summer, butternut, yellow etc)

* Salads

* Essential Fats (such as Udo’s Choice, Flax/Linseed, Evening Primrose, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil etc)

* Fruits (ONLY – Lemons, Lime, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Tomato, Avocado)

* Soy, Grasses and Sprouts

What Food is Not Allowed

Sugar, dairy, meat (apart from fish occasionally or when transitioning), caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, wheat, yeast, fruit (apart from those mentioned above), bad fats (saturated, trans-fatty acids, hydrogenated) and salt.

The most effective way to reverse the trend of over-acidification is to ‘cleanse’ the body of toxins and rapidly create an alkaline environment in which the body can heal itself. Cleansing is a natural, holistic method of healing in which the body detoxifies itself and regenerates healthy vibrant cells, effectively becoming more alkalized.

Known Benefits

USDA Study has shown Alkaline foods prevent muscle and bone loss. Alkaline diet is similar to a practice in the traditional Chinese medicinal diet, in which patients with minor illness is made to eat vegetables or fruits and forgo nuts and meat, a practice called “quench the fire”.

Additional Suggested Health Benefits

According to some alternative medicine practitioners, the shift to an acid-producing diet is the cause of a number of chronic diseases. Some practitioners recommend the alkaline diet if a person has the following symptoms and other illnesses have been ruled out.

* Lack of energy

* Excessive mucous production

* Nasal congestion

* Frequent colds and flu

* Anxiety, nervousness, irritability

* Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts

* Headache

Potential Risks of the Alkaline Diet

An alkaline diet is a diet that emphasizes, to a varying degree, fresh fruit, vegetables, roots and tubers, nuts, and legumes. Because Alkaline Diets promote the exclusion of many foods, thos can be harmful to the body.

The alkaline diet should not be used by people with acute or chronic kidney failure unless under a doctor’s supervision. People with pre-existing heart disease and those on medications that affect potassium levels in the body should check with their doctor first.

What the Experts Say About the Alkaline Diet

Advocates of alkaline diets claim that they help you lose weight, increase your energy, and even reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. Although conventional doctors do believe that increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables and reducing one’s intake of meat, salt, and refined grains is beneficial to health, most conventional doctors do not believe that an acid-producing diet is the foundation of chronic illness. In conventional medicine, there is evidence, however, that alkaline diets may help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle wasting.

The common belief among most medical practitioners, however, is that the blood alkalinity (pH) is not significantly affected by diet, except for pathological cases (e.g., of ketoacodos produced by diabetes).

Bottom Line

Studies of alkaline diets are limited to animal and test tube trials. There’s no scientific evidence at this time that alkaline diets are beneficial to humans.

Juliet Cohen :


Vitamin B12 has a long history and a solid reputation as an energy booster, and it is among the most important of all the B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result negative in hematological, neurological, and gastrointestinal conditions. Gastrointestinal effects of B12 deficiency may include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, excessive flatulence, and a burning sensation on the tongue. Vitamin B12, a member of the B-vitamin family, is a term used collectively to represent a group of cobalt-containing compounds known as corrinoids. The principal cobalamins are cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, and the two coenzyme forms of vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (adenosylcobalamin). However, the term vitamin B12 is usually used to refer to only one of these forms, cyanocobalamin, which is used to fortify foods and nutritional supplements. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin required for normal cell activity, DNA replication, and the synthesis of the mood-influencing substance SAMe. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, works with folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 also keeps your central nervous system healthy.

Vitamin B12 helps maintain the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibres from each other. B12 deficiency can cause a type of anemia marked by fewer but larger red blood cells that’s called pernicious anemia. It can also cause walking and balance problems, sore tongue, weakness, confusion and, in advanced cases, dementia. Vegetarians who eliminate all animal sources from their diet (also known as vegans) may benefit from taking a vitamin B12 supplement. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from proteins in foods during digestion. Hydroxocobalamin is a man-made form of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12’s main functions are in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenence of a healthy nervous system. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage. People with vitamin B12 deficiency show irregular destruction of the myelin sheaths, which eventually causes paralysis and death.Vitamin B12 levels decrease with age and various measures of cognitive impairment are associated with reduced B12 status. Vitamin B12 deficiencies occur when the body is unable to properly use the vitamin.

Benefits Vitamin B12 Tips

1. Vitamin B12 is critical to the health of the nervous system and to a process that clears homocysteine from the blood.

2. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in food sources (principally animal products) in protein-bound forms.

3. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a factor in a variety of different health conditions and disorders.

4. Vitamin B12 may help restrain pre-cancerous lung conditions in smokers.

5. Patients with Alzheimer’s show low levels of Vitamin B12.

6.3 Vitamin B 12 and folate are required for the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl group donor essential for the metabolism of neurotransmitters.

7. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a factor in a variety of different health conditions and disorders.

8. Vitamin B12 has been suggested to help defend against hypersensitivity to sulfites.

peterhutch :

Guava is a tropical fruit that is like the shape of pear, with green rind and pinkish or white flesh and small seeds. Some people say Guava is better than orange because guava contain more Vitamin C than citrus fruits (the edible rind contains a lot of it) and it contains appreciable amounts of Vitamin A as well. They are also a good source of iron and pectin, an enzyme used in making jams as well as promoting digestion.

Once they’re ripe, eat them quickly because they’re only at their peak for about two days. The guava leaf extract is also effective in treating gastrointestinal problems as it is rich in quercetin and other flavonoids. A drug used for the treatment of diarrhoea has been developed using guava leaves for this very reason. The bark extract is also supposed to protect the heart and improve its functionality and has been recently used to treat irregular heartbeats in South America. Guava leaves are also supposed to be good for weight loss.

The benefits of guava include controlling blood pressure, lowering cholestrol, battling diabetes, combating cancer and protecting prostrate!

Diarrhea & Dysentery: Guava is very rich in astringents (compounds that make your gums feel tighter and fresh after you chew guava leaves or eat a raw guava or use some toothpaste) which binds up loose bowels in diarrhea. These astringents are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties, thus help cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Further, other nutrients in guava, such as vitamin-C, Carotenoids and potassium strengthens and tones up the digestive system and disinfect it. Guava is also beneficial in gastroenteritis due to reasons stated above.

High amounts of Vitamin C compared to other fruits. The flesh usually provides 230 mg per 100 gram (3.5 oz) Vitamin C. However, the level varies from 10 to 410 mg per 100 gram depending upon the variety. This can be compared to the recommended daily allowance which is only 60 mg of Vitamin C per person per day.

The health benefits of guava herbal medicine are truly incredible, and in particular it contains quercetin which is an antioxidant that blocks enzymes that are responsible for building sorbitol, the sugar that forms the cloudy white clusters that cause cataracts. Guava is also rich in folate which helps to fight bad breath that causes gum disease gingivitis.

Combating free radicals produced during metabolism and aids in preventing age related chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, cataracts, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Guava can improve your heart health by helping to control your blood pressure and cholesterol. Guava’s ability to lower blood pressure could be the result of potassium. This mineral is an electrolyte that is essential to electrical reaction in your body, including your heart.

Other Benefits: Where to begin? Shall I start with the fact that guava helps control diabetes, protects prostrate, its Lypocene reduces the risk of cancer, the juice of the leaves cures toothache, swollen gums & oral ulcers, heals wounds when applied externally, convulsions, epilepsy, bacterial infections and so on and so forth.

Kevin Agrawal :

Care for a plate of broccoli and chlorella, with a tall glass of wheat grass juice? or how about some spirulina on the side, and a little Nova Scotia Dulse for flavor, garnished with a few sprinkles of bee pollen? and hey, Green Tea, anyone?

If you’re wondering what that’s all about—it’s called Green Nutrition and all of those green foods are called green superfoods because they are tightly packed with health-supporting nutrients! And while Grandma knew the goodness of greens all along, science is just beginning to discover the wonderful world of nutrition through green superfoods.

Here’s a list of ingredients that come from all over the world and how they function to support health:

Chlorella

The best chlorella comes from Japan.

Chlorella is a blue-green algae packed with protein. In fact, chlorella is 60% protein and also contains a good amount of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a pre-cursor of Vitamin A.

In Japan, chlorella is harvested in cultural pools hygienically maintained which renders it free from toxins and chemical additives. Japan has developed a technology called “Cracked cell chlorella” by which the cell walls of the chlorella are broken. This enables chlorella to release nutrients into your body as soon as chlorella is ingested.

Nova Scotia Dulse

Nova Scotia Dulse is a sea vegetable, mostly cultivated in Nova Scotia, near the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. It makes a good snack food but it also has medicinal properties. It has a high protein and fiber content and contains trace elements, minerals and vitamins.

Barley Grass Juice Powder

Barley grass juice powder contains almost a complete source of nutrition which include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll, and phytochemicals. Clinical tests reveal that barley grass juice powder contains 11 times more calcium than cow’s milk; and 7 times more Vitamin C than 7 oranges.

Wheatgrass Juice Extract

Wheatgrass juice extract consists of 70% chlorophyll along with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and powerful enzymes. Chlorophyll stimulates production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to the body. More oxygen to the body helps to improve blood sugar levels, helps to combat toxins thus purifying the blood. The organs of the body, specifically the brain and tissues, work better when more oxygen is received.

The high vitamin content found in wheatgrass juice is believed to be of benefit to certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Wheat Sprout Powder

Wheat sprouts are a rich source of chlorophyll and studies have demonstrated its potential in motivating tissue growth and in stimulating red blood cells. Wheat sprouts contain very high levels of organic phosphates and powerful flavonoids with antioxidant abilities.1-2

Spirulina Organic

Like chorella, spirulina is rich in protein content. It consists of 65-71% protein. The protein in Spirulina is five times more easily digestible than meat or soy protein. Spirulina is rich in chlorophyll which, among other benefits, helps to detoxify the body and help build up the immunity of the body.

Spirulina contains many trace minerals such as potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron, phosphorus. It is rich in B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine (B6), biotin, cobalamin (B12), pantothenic acid, folic acid, inositol, niacin, riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1), as well as tocopherol (vitamin E) and beta-cartenoids.

Kola Nut

Kola nut (Cola) grows in the tropical rainforests of Africa.

Clinical studies on humans indicate that kola nuts increase attentiveness and stamina.

Soy Lecithin

The United States grows 50% of the world’s production of soybeans.

Soybeans are known to have high protein content, with essential fatty acids, and fiber. They also contain vitamins and minerals. Lecithin contains choline, a main constituent of every cell membrane. Lecithin and choline are being studied for their role in retaining memory and cognizance.

Bee Pollen

Major producers of bee pollen are Argentina, China, Mexico, and Brazil.

Bee pollen contains high amounts of B vitamin complex, as well as Vitamins A, C, D, E, 22 amino acids, 27 mineral salts, more than 5,000 enzymes and co-enzymes that are needed for the digestive system. It also contains rutin, a bioflavanoid needed to strengthen the capillaries.

Bee pollen is usually taken because of its ability to provide stamina, to build up the immune system, and for detoxification. Olympic athletes have used bee pollen to enhance their athletic performance.

Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly is another product of the bees. Royal Jelly is used to feed the Queen Bee. It is rich in nutrients—B-complex vitamins, nucleic acids, amino acids, lipids, phospholipids, carbohydrates and minerals such as zinc, potassium, magnesium and calcium. It is known to be the richest individual source of pantothenic acid, which works on the nerves helping to reduce the impact of stress on the body.

Barley Malt

Barley Malt originates from China.

It is a whole-food sweetner made from an extract of sprouted barley and contains vitamins, minerals and protein.

Green Tea Extract

The original Green Tea comes from China and other parts of the East.

Green Tea is known to speed up the metabolism of the body and is thus used in weight management programs. It is known to have anti-aging properties because of its high antioxidant power.

Kelp Powder

Kelp grows in the North Atlantic Sea, deep in the sub-tidal cold waters.

Kelp powder contains chlorophyll and essential fatty acids which enhance the youthfulness of skin. It also contains protein.

Echinacea Angustifolia

This herb is native to Southern Canada and is also found in Texas.

Research indicates that it has a positive effect on the immune system. It does this by stimulating white cell production.3

Acerola OrganicThe Acerola plant grows in the Amazon Rainforest. The berries from this plant are known to have the highest Vitamin C content.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in many plants. Clinical studies demonstrate that is has anti-inflammatory properties. It also is known to inhibit the production of histamines and other allergens. It is a powerful antioxidant.

Suma Powder

The Suma plant is commonly found in Brazil, Peru, Ecuado and Venezuela. Suma is considered to assist in the metabolism of glucose, as well as help build up the immune and endocrine systems.

Eleuthero Root

Eleuthero is grown in southeastern Siberia and in the peninsula of Korea. It has also adapted itself in the forests of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California.

Eleuthero aids the body to combat stress. It helps to boost the immune system and also helps to add stamina.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is among the oldest living tree species, each tree can live up to 1000 years! It grows in 2 small provinces in eastern China.

Ginkgo leaves contain two powerful antioxidants—flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids are believed to protect the nerves, blood vessels, especially the retina and heart muscles. Terpenoids help to improve blood circulation by vasodilation and also help to reduce blood clots.

Bilberry

The Bilberry plant grows wild in parts of England, Scotland, Wales, Poland, and in the northern parts of Russia.

Bilberries contain high levels of anthcyanin pigments which research connects to lowered risks of cardiovascular disease and eye disease.4-6

Concord Grapes

This variety of grapes originated from England and was made famous in America by Welch. It grows in the Pacific northwest USA.

Concord grapes are known for their rich flavor. They contain potassium, vitamin C, flavonoids and anthocyanidins. These support healthy blood vessels.

Cinnamon Powder

Cinnamon originally comes from Sri Lanka. As a medicine, cinnamon is used for combating the common cold. Cinnamon exhibits antimicrobial properties and has high antioxidant activity.7-8

Turmeric Rhizome

Ninety percent of the world production of turmeric comes from India. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which is largely known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

DGL Licorice

Most of the licorice production is in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. Licorice has been used to aid digestion. It is widely used as a flavoring agent, being 50 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia

Stevia is a member of the sunflower family and grows in South and Central Americas. Stevia is used as a natural sweetner because it has 300 times the sweetness of table sugar. It is popular in weight management programs and is known to enhance glucose tolerance levels and help to maintain normal blood pressure.9-11

Spearmint

Spearmint is known to be a stimulant. It is also used as a carminative and exhibits anti-spasmodic properties.

A convenient way to get a blend of the world’s best green superfoods is through green superfood supplements. These supplements combine green vegetables, fruits, probiotics, and other health-supporting ingredients to give you the perfect balance of complete nutrition you need to support good health. Most importantly, in spite of the combination of so many suspiciously healthy ingredients, Royal Greens Ultra still manages to please the palate!

References:

Antioxidant Activity of Wheat Sprouts Extract In Vitro: Inhibition of DNA Oxidative Damage, Journal of Food Science, Vol, 67, No. 8, 2918-2922, 2002.

Nutritional Relevance of Wheat Sprouts Containing High Levels of Organic Phosphates and Antioxidant Compounds. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004 Jul;38(6 Suppl):S123-6.

A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold. Phytother Res. 2005 Aug;19(8):689-94. PMID: 16177972.

Direct vasoactive and vasoprotective properties of anthocyanin-rich extracts. J Appl Physiol. 2006 Apr;100(4):1164-70.

Efficacy of troxerutin on streptozotocin-induced rat model in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Arzneimittelforschung. 2005;55(10):573-80.

Anti-angiogenic property of edible berries. Free Radic Res. 2002 Sep;36(9):1023-31.

Antioxidant activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Breyne) extracts”. Boll Chim Farm 137 (11): 443–7. PMID 10077878.

Solid- and vapor-phase antimicrobial activities of six essential oils: susceptibility of selected foodborne bacterial and fungal strains. J. Agric. Food Chem. 53 (17): 6939–46. doi:10.1021/jf050709v. PMID 16104824.

Immune up regulatory response of a non-caloric natural sweetener, stevioside.Chem Biol Interact. 2008 May 28;173(2):115-21. Epub 2008 Jan 31.PMID: 18405890

A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside in human hypertension. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2000 Sep;50(3):215-20.PMID: 10971305

Effect of Stevia rebaudiana on glucose tolerance in normal adult humans. Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 19 (6): 771–4. PMID 3651629.

Dr Danny Siegenthaler :

Let’s start out by looking at what hyaluronic acid actually is.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring biopolymer, which serves important biological functions in bacteria and higher animals including humans. Naturally occurring, hyaluronic acid may be found in the tissue of higher animals, in particular as intercellular space filler. HA is found in greatest concentrations in the vitreous humour of the eye and in the synovial fluid of articular joints, but is also found in the skin, connective tissue and elsewhere in the body.

Hyaluronic acid was made ‘famous’ by an ABC News report in which Connie Chung visited a Japanese village by the name of Yuzurihara. She found that the people there were living longer, looked younger, and were more flexible and active than their western counterparts. These Japanese villagers, in their 80s and 90s, have smooth wrinkle-less skin, a full head of hair and apparently no need for glasses.

So what is it, that allows these Japanese to be so much more youthful, lead active, productive lives at their advanced age, where as in western countries most people in their 80s and beyond are in old-age homes?

The conclusion drawn in the ABC report was that these people ate ’sticky vegetables’ and that this factor was the secret to their apparent youth. In addition, the oestrogen-like molecules in their diet, fermented forms of soy in miso paste and tofu, seem to play an important role. These molecules, along with natural oestrogen, send a signal to the fibroblast cells to make more hyaluronic acid. But is this the whole answer? – I don’t think so, but I’ll get to this a little later.

Next, let’s look at what Hyaluronic acid does.

According to scientific research by a variety of Universities and researchers, hyaluronic acid is used in the human body to cushion and lubricate joints, eyes, the skin, and heart valves (see http://www.ctds.info/hyaluronic_acid.html for an in-depth look at all the different diseases, syndromes and conditions). Some treatments, which involve the use of hyaluronic acid include: treatment for osteoarthritis and other joint problems, as well as a range of eye disorders, retinal detachment, and some cardiovascular disorders.

However, it is in the anti-aging effect on the skin that we are focusing on in this article and the effect hyaluronic acid seems to have on the skin is at the level of promoting the formation of collagen. These are the fibres that firm the skin. Now, hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen fibres, is produced by free radicals and UV radiation.

These factors breaks down fibres of collagen can cause premature wrinkles and sagging of the skin. Focusing on hyaluronic acid, it would seem reasonable therefore, that reducing the free radicals is a major key to reducing the hyaluronidase enzyme and secondly to promote normal levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Plant substances known as bioflavonoids, contained in foods such as grape seed extract, blueberry, cranberry, citrus bioflavonoids and milk thistle, etc., inhibit the production of hyaluronidase, which helps to achieve the first aim of reducing the free radicals. In addition, reducing processed foods from our diet, increasing the level of exercise and living a more balanced life style will help in promoting natural levels of hyaluronic acid in our system, not just in the skin.

When considering injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin to treat fine lines and wrinkles, we are once again loosing sight of the holistic approach to treating our bodies and thus run a serious risk of introducing factors, which may lead to side effects or other health problems. Further, we also run the risk of creating an imbalance in the chemical composition of the skin and who knows what possible problems await us as a result.

Some known side effects of hyaluronic acid injection therapy for aging skin include:

swelling infection redness tenderness acne lumps tissue hardening unknown risks when used in combination with collagen

These side effects are serious enough to reconsider using injection therapy of hyaluronic acid as an anti-aging treatment for the skin.

Remember too, that the people in the Japanese village do not use injection therapy… They life an holistic life style incorporating unprocessed foods and physical activity together with a balanced mind-set and life style.

So where can you get a holistic source of hyaluronic acid from?

There are a couple of ways. The first is from “starchy root vegetables” such as the ones mentioned by the village doctor in the ABC report which include: Satsumaimo, a type of sweet potato; Satoimo, a sticky white potato; Konyaku, a gelatinous root vegetable concoction; and Imoji, a potato root.

These vegetables help the cells of the body to thrive and retain moisture. Further, they keep joints lubricated, protect the retina of the eye and keep the skin smooth and elastic by promoting collagen.

Another source of hyaluronic acid, for non-vegetarians, is to eat animal parts known to contain a lot of hyaluronic acid. You could make a broth from fish bones. That is, once you’ve taken off the fillets, boil the rest of the fish, including their head and make a fish stock. Similarly, you can make a meat broth using animal joints, sinews and tendons, then adding a few root and other vegetables to create a healthy, nourishing soup.

In conclusion, at Wildcrafted Herbal Products we do not believe that adding isolated ingredients in elevated concentrations to our natural skin care products is a preferred option. Rather, using a holistically natural approach to skin care and for that matter health care is a far more preferable option.

Skin care is as much about taking care of your skin as it is taking responsibility and care of your overall health and wellbeing. Your skin is not an isolated part of your body and should not be treated as such.

Again I would like to remind you of the Japanese villagers – they do not inject themselves with hyaluronic acid, they do not use hyaluronic acid in isolation, they do however life a healthy, active and mostly balanced life style.