Filed under: Health and Fitness - nutrition
There are many natural sources of vitamin c. The concentration of vitamin c differs in these sources greatly from one to the other. Some of the best sources for vitamin c are fruits and berries.Unlike other fruits citrus are good sources of vitamin c. There is one fruit in particular which has the highest concentration of vitamin c of any other thing in the world.
Most Potent Sources Of Vitamin C
The most potent source of vitamin c on this planet so far that we know of is the Kakadu Plum. The Kakadu Plum has a potency of vitamin c that is 50 times more than oranges. It is 5 percent vitamin c. The numbers for potency read like this 3100 mg/100g of fruit.
The second most potent source of vitamin c is Camu Camu fruit. The Camu Camu has a potency of 2800mg/100g of fruit. Both of these are exotic and hard to find fruits.
In most cases we are able to find ourselves processed sources of vitamin c.
Processed vitamin c is chewable, powder, capsule and tablet. It is in our foods and in our drinks. Juice is fortified, milk is fortified, and cheese is fortified. We are in a time where almost every food we eat has a source of vitamin c. There is no shortage in our culture and in western culture of vitamin c.
Lots of people use orange juice or oranges as source of vitamin c. Oranges naturally have a typical potency of 50mg/100g of fruit. Citrus has always been associated with vitamin c. In most recommendations it said we need no more than 450mg of vitamin c however some suggest 1,000mg all the way to dosages as high as 10,000mg per day. When it comes to this controversial nutrient there is no shortage of suggestion as to what is the best daily dosage. Many people have tried radical daily dosages and others have been more moderate and tried a 2,000mm a day approach. At 2,000mg a day there seems to be a large following. Many people feel that this is the magic number and many people feel that the source for the vitamin c should come from natural and processed sources. In either case the health benefitsof this fantastic vitamin have been proven and are real, so make sure that you at least get your minimum recommended dosages of vitamin c and try and consume natural sources of the vitamin.
February 21, 2010
Carbonated water eases the symptoms of indigestion (dyspepsia) and constipation, according to a recent study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dyspepsia is characterized by a group of symptoms including pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, early sense of fullness after eating, bloating, belching, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Approximately 25% of people living in Western societies suffer from dyspepsia every year, and the condition accounts for 2 to 5% of all visits to primary care providers. Inadequate motion in the digestive tract (peristalsis) is believed to be an important cause of dyspepsia. Other gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, frequently accompany dyspepsia.
Antacid medications—over the counter acid neutralizers, prescription medicines that block stomach acid production, and medications that stimulate peristalsis—are primary treatments for dyspepsia. However, antacids can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and there is a possible association between long-term use of the acid-blocking drugs and increased risk of stomach cancer. Other healthcare providers recommend dietary changes, such as eating small frequent meals, reducing fat intake, and identifying and avoiding specific aggravating foods. The patient of dyspepsia should not smoke any more. Constipation is treated with increased water and fiber intake. Laxative medications are also prescribed by some practitioners, while others may test for food sensitivities and imbalances in the bacteria of the colon and treat these to alleviate constipation.
In this study, carbonated water was compared with tap water for its effect on dyspepsia, constipation, and general digestive function. Twenty-one people with indigestion and constipation were randomly assigned to drink at least 1.5 liters daily of either carbonated or tap water for at least 15 days or until the end of the 30-day trial. At the beginning and the end of the trial all of the participants were given indigestion and constipation questionnaires and tests to evaluate stomach fullness after eating, gastric emptying (movement of food out of the stomach), gallbladder emptying, and intestinal transit time (the time for ingested substances to travel from mouth to anus).
Scores on the dyspepsia and constipation questionnaires were significantly better for those treated with carbonated water than for those who drank tap water. Eight of the ten people in the carbonated water group had marked improvement in dyspepsia scores at the end of the trial, two had no change and one worsened. In contrast, seven of eleven people in the tap water group had worsening of dyspepsia scores, and only four experienced improvement. Constipation scores improved for eight people and worsened for two after carbonated water treatment, while scores for five people improved and six worsened in the tap water group. Further evaluation revealed that carbonated water specifically decreased early stomach fullness and increased gallbladder emptying, while tap water did not.
Carbonated water is being used for a long time to cure digestive problems, however no research supports its effectiveness. The carbon dioxide and minerals like sodium, potassium, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, magnesium, and calcium were found more in the carbonated water used in this trial as compared to tap water. Other studies have shown that both the bubbles of carbon dioxide and the presence of high levels of minerals can stimulate digestive function. Additional research is needed to determine whether this mineral-rich carbonated water would be more effective at relieving dyspepsia than would carbonated tap water.
December 30, 2009
Big Berkey Water Filter
In spite of minimum standards for city water, many have opted to filter their drinking water anyway. After all, just because water tastes all right and does not have an odor doesn’t mean it is pure. Of course, the safest way to know if you water is safe is to take a sample to a testing center. But even if it passes this test, you still may want to filter it, just to be sure.
If you have decided you ought to filter your water but are unsure if it will make any difference, why not make your own trial carbon water filter? It isn’t difficult or expensive, and it will give you the option of seeing what carbon can do to improve your water quality.
To begin this project, obtain these items: a twelve inch length of 2 1/2 inch PVC pipe, a 2 1/2 inch cap, a quantity of activated carbon, a piece of vinyl hose, and a paper coffee filter. You will also need a drill and bit the size of the outside diameter of the vinyl hose.
First, drill a hole in the PVC cap and insert the hose into it. Silicone sealant may be used to be sure it doesn’t leak. Insert the cap onto one end of the PVC pipe. Then fold the coffee filter paper and insert it into the bottom of the PVC pipe so that it covers the vinyl tubing hole. This keeps the carbon from clogging the hose.
Add the carbon to the open end of the PVC and pour water over it until it is full. Point the vinyl hose into a container where the filtered water can collect. You may want to discard the first batch of filtered water since it might have washed out contaminants from the project.
Hold the unit upright and fill it with carbon. Then, run water over the carbon until the PVC is full. Check to be sure the vinyl tubing is dispensing the clean water into a washed storage container. It is advisable to discard the first batch since you could not guarantee no contaminants were in the materials you used.
Here are a few things to consider if you make your own filter. First, the longer the pipe, the more water it will hold and the more charcoal it will pass over before exiting the unit. In other words, the longer the PVC pipe, the better it is. Second, periodically replace the carbon and clean out the PVC pipe while it is empty. How often this needs to be done depends on how much water you filter through it.
This unit has obvious limitations. It is not designed to produce a great quantity of water. But if you keep the PVC full and store the filtered water, it will surely provide sufficient drinking water for several people.
If this sounds like too much work, consider the Berkey Water Filters line. The Black Berkey purification elements that ship with the Fluoride Filter are so powerful, they can remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. And since they are gravity fed, no electricity is needed. Virtually no other filtration element can duplicate this performance.
December 30, 2009
More people are trying to make healthier choices for their body since the life threatening consequences of an unbalanced diet are now well known. Unfortunately, this is not an easy change to make when most people live a rapid fast lifestyle. Most meals are no longer consumed at the family dinner table, but instead are being quickly inhaled in vehicles, at airports, and in restaraunts.
The current obesity epidemic is due to our over-consumption of saturated fats, empty calories like sugar, and the huge portion sizes which are now considered the norm. Many people are not willing to make the changes to fix these problems, but many are now trying. When someone is not willing or simply cannot change their eating patterns, than they must find other ways to get the nutrients their body needs.
The negative features of our modern lives and the resulting malnutrition problems can be partially corrected by nutrition products and exercise. It is fair to mention up front that many questions have surfaced regarding the ingredients used in these products. Many people are turning to organic foods because of pesticides used on many fruits and vegetables, and many of those same people are using natural nutrition products due to chemicals used in some products.
Are the consequences of chemical compound products really harmful? The fact that natural nutrition products are now widely available at lower prices has attracted more people to a healthy lifestyle, who may have previously been against these products.
The Price of Nature
In the growing demand for organic foods, natural nutrition products have found their place, though some people are questioning if they are really worth the extra money. For example, most nutrition products contain the same vitamins and minerals—it is the energy-boosting and metabolizing effects of these other products that are questioned.
However, these compounds are usually developed from herbal products, and while some science is used, they are not as unnatural as they may appear. However, natural nutrition products do look safer to a lot of people, and for that reason, they are often chosen over other products, and at a much higher price.
Discount nutrition products are rarely natural or herbal, and nutrition companies stand to make a lot from the law of supply and demand. In a health-conscious world, natural nutrition products are worth the added price just to be safe, and their traditional counterparts, regardless of how cheap the price or similar the ingredients, are not worth the risk.
December 28, 2009
Beyond a doubt, the unhealthy diets of the modern world are effecting a lot more than waist lines. Consider this: obesity is caused by unhealthy eating and is also the number one cause of death around the world. What most people do not realize is that there are short term consequences that stem from improper eating as well.
Many of the other problems people suffer from are caused by their poor eating habits, including but not limited to sleep disorders, high stress levels, and poor concentration. The problems effect every area of our lives, including work and school performance, sports abilities, and even road rage and accidents on the highway.
It’s shocking what an unhappy world we live in, and a lot of the root cause is malnutrition. Yet, by the time most people get around to fixing their diets and adding in exercise, it may not be good enough. Simply put, many men and women are unaware of exactly what their individual bodies need.
Every body has different needs based on many factors, and once a person changes from a sedentary to an active lifestyle, they will also change their nutritional requirements. If a person is working out and lifting weights they can still see little to no results if they are not eating correctly. The good news is that sports nutrition products can be used to provide what is lacking in a diet.
Make Your Workouts Effective
It is expected that the body of a professional athlete will vary greatly from that of someone who is mainly sedentary. Athletes must take in more protein, amino acid, and protein than most everyday people. For an average person adding daily activity and exercise into their life, it is crucial to adjust what they are eating in order to get all the benefits from their exercise regime. A lot of people making lifestyle changes are not aware of their shifting nutritional requirements and never see a nutritionist to learn more.
However, sports nutrition products can help simplify the process. While men and women may not know exactly how their bodies change once they start exercising, they can feel confident knowing the most sports nutrition products will provide the needed vitamins and minerals.
However, it is crucial that sedentary people not taking on additional exercise avoid sports nutrition products since they probably will not burn off the extra calories. Without visits to the gym, most people can get what they need through more natural nutrition products with vitamins and minerals but without a lot of extra calories.
Sports nutrition products are now being made in tasty varieties so choking down a pill is no longer necessary. Some of the newer varieties of sports nutrition products are bars, shakes, meals, waters, and gels all of which come in a wide variety of flavors. While someone may start out on a certain diet with particular choices of sports nutrition products, they will need to adjust their choices in both areas as they become more in tune with their bodies and their fitness levels increase.
December 28, 2009
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