Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Mon, Dec 14, 2009
Joint pain is something we all resign ourselves to as we get older, but there are now many safe all-natural remedies which can ease the pain and discomfort of swollen or painful joints. Whether you suffer from arthritis or your joints ache from overuse, here are some excellent natural remedies which can help bring swift joint relief.
- Glucosamine When glucosamine came on the market in the early 1980s it was hailed as a breakthrough treatment for those suffering from painful joints. Research has shown that it slows down the deterioration of joints and reduces pain more effectively than aspirin.
- Chondroitin when taken in a daily dose combined with 1500mg of glucosamine, has been found to enhance the benefits of glucosamine on its own. Together these two supplements bring more effective joint relief than if taken separately. Chondroitin is found naturally in human cartilage, bones and skin. It gives the cartilage elasticity and helps it retain water.
- Sea Cucumber is a natural source of chondroitin which helps promote healthy joint tissue. Many athletes use sea cucumber to maintain healthy joints and prevent problems later in life.
- MSM is a more recent discovery in assisting with joint relief. It has a sulphur-supplying element which helps regenerate cells in the body, bringing quick relief to painful joints.
- EPA and DHA work together to keep joints limber, reducing discomfort. They are the key ingredients in fish oil and as well as providing joint relief, they also help keep joints supple.
- Boswellia Serrata has been used for centuries in India to cure inflammation in the joints, the primary cause of joint pain.
These safe, natural supplements are not alternatives to choose between, but should be taken together to enhance each other and give greater efficacy. Whether you want to soothe inflammation or are looking for simple joint relief, many people find these natural products to be safe, reasonably priced and very effective.
For more information on natural joint relief, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Fri, Dec 11, 2009
Feeling sluggish and unusually tired? Having problems with concentration and memory? Are you slowly putting on weight and are unable to lose it? These are the classic symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
The thyroid is a gland which produces hormones which govern our body’s metabolism. As estimated 10 to 20% of adults suffer from an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism. The most common symptoms are constant sleepiness, depression, weight gain and being unable to remember things as we used to. Other less common symptoms are muscle and joint pain, feeling the cold easily, constipation and a slow heart rate. As the body’s metabolism gradually slows down, these signs creep up and are blamed on our age, depression or other health problems. But there is an easy answer.
Natural Herbal Supplements to Boost an Underactive Thyroid
There are several all-natural products which are safe and easy to take as herbal supplements and are known to boost the thyroid. Lack of iodine is a main cause of most thyroid disorders. Iodine is essential to a healthy thyroid function and kelp (seaweed) is one of the richest sources of this essential mineral. The body requires vitamin E to properly assimilate the iodine, so this should also be taken as a daily supplement. B-complex vitamins are also known to provide energy and boost an underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland also needs many of the essential fatty acids which are lacking in modern diets and can easily be included as a natural health supplement.
Other essential minerals such as zinc, the amino acid tyrosine and the vitamin B6 can all be used as a safe, natural alternative to a thyroid hormone supplement. If taking a handful of pills each morning does not appeal to you, consider taking a thyroid supporting formula which combines a correctly balanced daily supply of these nutrients in a couple of easy-to-swallow capsules each day. Drinking less caffeine and more water will also help boost your metabolism naturally.
You should soon begin to feel more like your old self again with increased energy and vitality. You will be able to counter mood swings and tackle that weight gain without suffering any adverse side effects. Take action today against your underactive thyroid and start to overcome those debilitating symptoms.
For more information on natural ways to boost and underactive thyroid, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Thu, Dec 10, 2009
You may not have heard of ubiquinol, but you will certainly know it in a different form, as CoQ10. It may sound far-fetched to say that something from nature, taken as a supplement can change your life, but taking CoQ10 in this more concentrated form can significantly change your whole body health for the better.
Just 50mg of Ubiquinol can:
- Support your heart and cardiovascular system
- Boost your immune system
- Increase natural energy levels
- Improve athletic performance and endurance
- Help maintain healthy gums
- Support hearing and balance
- Act as a powerful antioxidant against damaging free radicals
- Protect the liver
- Help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels
We all need help in several, if not all these areas and where CoQ10 is good, ubiquinol is actually 8 times stronger and better. One of the unique elements in the aging process is free radical production. These free radicals are oxygen atoms which are deficient in electrons that become highly reactive and can cause potential damage to your tissues and DNA. Your body requires this reduced form of CoQ10 to help you limit free radical production, thereby dramatically affecting the aging process.
Our body naturally produces CoQ10 which converts fats and sugars into cellular energy. However, our body’s production of CoQ10 declines as we age. Changing your daily supplement of CoQ10 to the more absorbable form of Ubiquinol is particularly beneficial if you are aged over 40, suffer from diabetes or liver disease, experience tiredness and low energy, take statin drugs or currently take large doses of CoQ10, above 150mg per day. Fewer milligrams of ubiquinol are required to achieve better benefits than conventional CoQ10 and although 8 times stronger, ubiquinol is not 8 times more expensive, making it great value for money too.
For more information on the benefits of Ubiquinol, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Wed, Dec 09, 2009
If your fairy godmother could wave a wand and grant you one wish, you may dream of a single natural product which would support a healthy heart, maintain good cholesterol levels, support joints into old age, help boost your immune system and of course help with that frustrating loss of memory. The good news is that Mother Nature has actually devised just such a product in krill oil.
The benefits of this powerful natural product, which is obtained from millions of tiny shrimp-like crustaceans, has only recently been recognized. Now hailed as ‘Nature’s Perfect Recipe’ for our all-round health, krill oil is abundantly rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids which are high in EPA and DHA. Krill oil delivers these vital nutrients as highly absorbable phospholipids, which allow the EPA and DHA to directly enter your body’s cells and get to work right away.
The anti-inflammatory properties of EPA are invaluable in easing pain by reducing stiffness and tenderness in the joints. EPA also increases calcium in the body, assisting in the prevention of bone loss. Krill oil has been found to be beneficial to those suffering from PMS and it decreases the occurrence of hot flashes and night sweating in menopausal women.
This new generation, all-natural supplement has 48 times the power and benefit of traditional fish oil. Krill are the source of life to whales, sharks, seals, penguins and other fish which live in the cold Antarctic seas. Since krill are at the bottom of the food chain, living on the microscopic plantlife called phytoplankton, they do not contain the harmful heavy metals such as mercury which are present in larger fish and consequently their oils. If you are still not convinced that krill oil is far superior to other fish oils, then perhaps the lack of fishy aftertaste often suffered with other fish oils will help you appreciate this powerful natural supplement as a true gift from nature’s fairy godmother.
For more information on the benefits of krill oil, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Tue, Dec 08, 2009
We often read that lowering triglycerides are key to reducing heart disease, but what are triglycerides and where can we discover how to lower triglycerides naturally?
The simple term for triglycerides is the fat which is stored in our bodies. When we eat carbohydrates, they are converted into glucose to use for our daily energy. Any excess glucose is sent to the liver and converted into glycogen which is stored in muscle tissue. Once your capacity for storing a ready amount of glycogen in the muscles is reached, any further glycogen is sent back to the liver and converted into triglycerides which are stored as body fat. Some triglycerides, however, remain in the bloodstream and this is a problem. Triglycerides thicken the blood, making the risk of clotting and blockages more likely. These can lead to a heart attack or stroke, so knowing just how to lower triglycerides is essential for our health.
The normal level of triglycerides in your blood should be up to 199mg/dL; less than 100mg/dL would be the optimum. Only a blood test can show these figures accurately.
How to Lower Triglycerides in your Diet in Three Steps
1. Lowering your carbohydrate intake is the first step to preventing triglycerides from forming. Low carb diets such as Atkins and South Beach diets show us what we should be cutting down on.
2. Excess sugar should be avoided as it also converts to glucose and then into triglycerides. This also helps control weight, which is important for a healthy heart.
3. Adding Natural Supplements is a good way to help to lower triglycerides.
- Omega-3, found in fish oil and krill oil, helps maintain a healthy heart.
- Guggu lipid Extract, an ancient herb found in India, has been shown to lower triglyceride levels along with cholesterol, a double heart health benefit.
- Tumeric Extract is thought to help lower these fatty deposits as well as being an antioxidant.
- Green tea is also known to reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. It is also a powerful antioxidant.
Now you known what triglycerides are and how to lower triglycerides in your blood, you are much better prepared to take the steps to manage heart problems if you act upon these important tips.
For more information on natural ways to lower triglycerides, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Tue, Nov 03, 2009
Any visit to a supermarket or drug store will reveal a bewildering array of herbal supplements for every condition imaginable. If you have some health issues or simply want to start a preventative health program, then an herbal supplement program is well worth taking every day. The problem is, how do you know which one to choose? Do you save money and start with the cheapest? Or do you believe you get what you pay for and go for the most expensive? Choosing the right brand goes beyond a pretty label to what’s inside those capsules and tablets. Here are some general guidelines to help you get the best value for money.
Quality
Compare supplements between companies. While some will skimp on the quantity and potency of the ingredients, the best health supplement companies will offer a higher amount of the active ingredients. Although they may be more expensive, in the long run they will do the job, which cheaper, inferior products will not.
Guarantee
Companies which can be trusted will offer excellent unconditional money-back guarantees, often for a full 90 days. This peace of mind means that if you are ordering a product for the first time, you get to try it with a safety net. If it does not suit you, you can return it and get your money back without any hassle. Avoid companies which are not prepared to back their herbal supplement with a fair guarantee.
Long-Standing Reputation
Word of mouth recommendations or customer feedback is a good way to assess which companies are best. If you know someone who regularly takes supplements, then ask them where they buy their herbal supplements. Alternatively, look on the internet. Avoid amateur-looking websites which just sell a single product. They are not likely to be supplying the best natural health products. Some companies display the ‘BBB’ symbol which stands for the ‘Better Business Bureau’. Complaints of companies selling ‘quack’ supplements will be listed with them, and conversely a BBB accreditation is an impressive recommendation.
Bulk Buying Deals
Good companies may be slightly more expensive, but their products are likely to be better quality. One way to get an extra discount is to buy 2 or 3 bottles of the product at the same time. Remember, with a money-back guarantee there is no risk, and you can lower the price by 50% or more for a small financial outlay.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Mon, Nov 02, 2009
As our bodies change with age, our rate of metabolism can be affected. This in turn can lead to higher blood pressure which is a dangerous and undesirable medical condition. Many patients are prescribed drugs to lower their blood pressure, but it is much safer and healthier to lower blood pressure naturally using natural blood pressure supplements. Here are 5 ingredients which support healthy blood pressure the safe and natural way.
Potassium
Potassium is known to stimulate the kidneys which process our body’s waste products. This is essential in order to avoid sodium retention which directly results in high blood pressure. Good natural sources of potassium are potatoes, bananas, tofu and beans.
Calcium
Known for giving us healthy bones and teeth, calcium also keeps our balance of sodium, potassium and magnesium correct in each cell for proper blood absorption. Milk, cheese, broccoli and oranges are good food sources. Calcium is also a key ingredient in all natural blood pressure supplements.
CoQ10
This substance is found naturally in our bodies, but is produced less as we get older. A CoQ10 supplement can help maintain a regular heart beat. It ensures healthy heart function as it also helps control our blood circulation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is good for building natural immunity against colds and flu, but a recent study by Oregon State University together with Boston University show that Vitamin C also improves biological activity of nitric oxide, resulting in lower blood pressure.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
It is a well known fact that Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain good HDL cholesterol levels whilst lowering the bad LDL cholesterol. If your diet is not rich in mackerel, salmon and tuna, consider taking fish oil as one of your natural blood pressure supplements.
With a little help from nature these natural ingredients can help you manage your blood pressure, naturally and effectively.
For more information on blood pressure supplements, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com.
Healthy Choice Naturals
Posted by Ian Ibbetson on Tue, Oct 06, 2009
Losing weight is a tough battle. According to the American Heart Association, more than 142 million Americans aged 20 and over are overweight or obese. We are all aware that being overweight leads to many health problems including higher cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and increasing many more health risks, yet we are unable to shed those unwanted pounds. Perhaps a little help from nature’s bounty with a choice of herbal supplements is all we need to convert our efforts into successful weight loss. So, what are the options?
Hoodia is a very effective product which acts as an appetite suppressant. Hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like plant found in the South African desert and used for centuries by the bushmen who would chew the leaves to ward off hunger on their hunting trips. Although hoodia does not in any way shed fat, it helps reduce hunger cravings which can help those cutting calories and trying to eat less, but it still requires willpower and a change of diet to be effective.
Acai can be found in a number of forms and as well as being beneficial to general health it also supports an increase in energy levels naturally, helping to burn calories and fat. It also detoxifies the colon, liver and kidneys, helps normalize cholesterol levels and assists with a healthy weight loss.
Green Tea makes a healthy calorie-free drink or can be taken in capsule form and is a popular natural aid to weight loss.
CLA is an all-natural supplement which can be taken to help boost the rate of metabolism and help increase the burn rate of fat, thereby assisting weight loss.
Although no single product will magically melt fat, these supplements may help dieters stick to their weight-loss program and see encouraging results. While some products reduce cravings, others increase the rate at which we burn calories and fat. The best way to choose a weight loss aid is to take a balanced formula of herbal supplements which are combined in an easy-to-take capsule. Look for a product which is Ephedra-free, all natural and can help increase metabolism and burn fat whilst suppressing cravings. A reliable company will supply their product with a money-back guarantee, ensuring that you have nothing to lose except unwanted fat!
If you would like to get more information on Weight Loss Herbal Supplements , visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com.
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Thu, Oct 01, 2009
Over the last 10 years the drinking water at thousands of schools across the U.S. has been found to contain unsafe levels of lead, pesticides and dozens of other toxins.
The results came from an A/P investigation and found that contaminants have surfaced at public and private schools in all 50 states, both in small towns and inner cities alike.
Shockingly, the problem has gone largely unmonitored by the federal government, even as the number of water safety violations has multiplied.
"It's an outrage," said Marc Edwards, an engineer at Virginia Tech who has been honored for his work on water quality. "If a landlord doesn't tell a tenant about lead paint in an apartment, he can go to jail. But we have no system to make people follow the rules to keep school children safe?"
Experts and children's advocates complain that responsibility for drinking water is spread among too many local, state and federal agencies, and that risks are going unreported. Finding a solution, they say, would require a costly new national strategy for monitoring water in schools.
It should be noted that schools with unsafe water represent only a small percentage of the nation's 132,500 schools. And the EPA says the number of violations increased over the last decade largely because the government has gradually adopted stricter standards for contaminants such as arsenic and some disinfectants.
Many of the same toxins could also be found in water at homes, offices and businesses. But the contaminants are especially dangerous to children, who drink more water per pound than adults and are more vulnerable to the effects of many hazardous substances.
The AP analyzed a database showing federal drinking water violations from 1998 to 2008 in schools with their own water supplies. The findings:
• Water in about 100 school districts and 2,250 schools breached federal safety standards.
• Those schools and districts racked up more than 5,550 separate violations. In 2008, the EPA recorded 577 violations, up from 59 in 1998 — an increase that officials attribute mainly to tougher rules.
• California, which has the most schools of any state, also recorded the most violations with 612, followed by Ohio (451), Maine (417), Connecticut (318) and Indiana (289).
• Nearly half the violators in California were repeat offenders. One elementary school in Tulare County, in the farm country of the Central Valley, broke safe-water laws 20 times.
• The most frequently cited contaminant was coliform bacteria, followed by lead and copper, arsenic and nitrates.
"There is just no excuse for this. Period," said California Sen. Barbara Boxer, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. "We want to make sure that we fix this problem in a way that it will never happen again, and we can ensure parents that their children will be safe."
The problem goes beyond schools that use wells. Schools that draw water from public utilities showed contamination; too, especially older buildings where lead can concentrate at higher levels than in most homes.
Schools that get water from local utilities are not required to test for toxins because the EPA already regulates water providers. That means there is no way to ensure detection of contaminants caused by schools' own plumbing.
But voluntary tests in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Seattle and Los Angeles have found dangerous levels of lead in recent years. And experts warn the real risk to schoolchildren is going unreported.
Many school officials say buying bottled water is less expensive than fixing old pipes. Baltimore, for instance, has spent more than $2.5 million on bottled water over the last six years.
In California, the Department of Public Health has given out more than $4 million in recent years to help districts overhaul their water systems.
Let us know what you think about this outrage.
Posted by Ian Ibbetson on Fri, Sep 25, 2009
Health Experts say a proposed national tax on soda and other sugary drinks of 1 cent per ounce could aid the United States' obesity epidemic, while generating $14.9 billion the first year alone.
The tax could help fund programs to prevent obesity, say a group of prominent researchers in an article in the Sept. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The authors believe such a tax would deter people from buying non-nutritious sweet drinks, thereby helping Americans to lose weight and reduce their health risks.
The tax would increase the cost of a 20-ounce soft drink by 15 to 20 percent. Researchers suggest the increased cost would lead to a minimum reduction of 20 calories a day per person from sweetened beverages. The revenue collected would benefit individual states and the federal government.
The concept of levying a "Twinkie tax" first gained attention in 1994, when Yale University psychology professor Kelly D. Brownell made the proposal in a piece in The New York Times.
Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said such taxes could help cover the cost of overhauling the U.S. health care system.
Meanwhile, studies continue to link consumption of beverages sweetened with sucrose (regular sugar), high-fructose corn syrup or fruit-juice concentrates to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, not to mention dental decay.
One such study found that each additional serving of sugar-sweetened beverage increased the risk of obesity in middle-school students by 60 percent.
In another study involving 100 high-school students, eliminating such drinks led to a significant decrease in body weight.
While the tax strategy has reduced cigarette and alcohol use, there's no guarantee it would work with food.
The beverage industry opposes a soda tax and also disputes the connection between consumption of sweetened drinks and obesity.
"Excise taxes on soft drinks simply do not reduce obesity rates," the American Beverage Association said in a statement issued Wednesday. "West Virginia and Arkansas are two prime examples -- both have excise taxes on soft drinks, yet rank fifth and sixth highest in the nation for obesity rates, " it said.
What are your thoughts on the proposed tax? Leave a comment and let us know.