Tag: Nutrition

Categories
Healthy Tips Pediatric

Choosing the Right Multivitamin for Your Children

[amazon_link asins=’B017PV397C,B01M9A338N,B00PK3R1FO,B01KVADU1O,B001AZNKYM,B071CYLL3N,B01MQG9X8K’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a3213fcc-23fe-11e7-a6fa-5774ea28edef’]

From the Flintstones to the Gummi Bears, cartoon vitamins may seem like a fun,
easy way to encourage children to take nutritional supplements. But do they give
your child the nutrients they truly need? Children have a greater need for
proper and more complete nutrition than do adults. Proper nutrition is vital for
the development of teeth, bones and muscles, as well as neuro-cognitive,
immune-system and many other important functions.

click & see

What’s wrong with cartoon vitamins? They contain synthetic vitamins, inadequate
minerals, as well as binders, preservatives and sugar – some of the very items
we need the supplements to combat in the first place! We need to provide our
kids with the kind of nutritional supplements informed adults demand:

* All-natural, with no synthetic chemical nutrients.

* Derived from whole foods.

* Complete and balanced formula, meaning they should contain at least the 25
FDA-recommended nutrients, preferably more.

* Good taste to ensure compliance, but without added sugar. Liquids are best, as
they absorb better and the dosing can be modified depending on the child’s size
and needs.

* Need to contain the full spectrum of organic trace minerals.

Children have a great need for diets rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
to combat free-radical damage. It is absolutely a must for them to strengthen
their armor with a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in
processed foods and sugars. Then, we must augment that effort with the very best
supplements available. Our kids deserve better health than their parents, but
unless we do something, they are fighting an uphill battle.

For more information, go to
http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=935
Source:dctyh@mail4.mpamedia.com

Related articles
Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Lactose Intolerance

[amazon_link asins=’B001G7QGCM,B000052XB5,B0013OUODA,B003VSTRY8,B072BMTH3B,B019ALCAR0,B00U2QEXRI,B00EXPSLK4′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’54467779-9788-11e7-b2c3-578dd27925f6′]

Definition
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant quantities of lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products like ice cream,milk shake,chocolate,cheese etc.

People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow  as milk intolerance because the symptoms are often the same. However, lactose intolerance and cow’s milk intolerance are not related. Being intolerant to cow  as milk is an allergic reaction triggered by the immune system. Lactose intolerance is a problem caused by the digestive system.

CLICK & SEE
Causes
Lactose intolerance is caused by an inadequate amount of the digestive enzyme lactase. Lactase breaks down the sugar lactose into sugars the blood stream can more easily absorb. Without enough lactase to digest the lactose eaten, lactose ferments in the colon (large intestine) and causes symptoms.Lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Not all people deficient in lactase have the symptoms commonly associated with lactose intolerance, but those who do are said to have lactose intolerance.

Some people are born with the inability to make the enzyme lactase. Others develop the intolerance over time.

Causes of lactose intolerance include:
Some causes of lactose intolerance are well known. Primary lactase deficiency is a condition that develops over time. After about age 2 the body begins to produce less lactase, though most people will not notice symptoms until they are much older.

Secondary lactase deficiency occurs when injury to the small intestine or certain digestive diseases reduce the amount of lactase a person produces. These diseases include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and Crohn’s disease.

Researchers have identified a genetic link for lactose intolerance. Some people are born with a likelihood of developing primary lactase deficiency because it has been passed to them genetically (inherited from their parents). This discovery may be useful in developing a diagnostic test to identify people with the condition.

Other common causes are:
Aging (lactase decreases as people age)
Gastroenteritis (or infection in the intestinal tract)
Nontropical and tropical sprue
Cystic fibrosis
Ulcerative colitis
Immunoglobulin deficiencies

Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Race: Black, Asian, or Native American
Ethnicity: Mediterranean or Jewish

Symptoms:
Symptoms of lactose intolerance generally begin within two hours of consuming milk or other dairy products. The severity of symptoms depends on how much lactase your body produces and how much lactose you eat.
People who do not have enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose they consume may feel very uncomfortable when they digest milk products. Common symptoms, which range from mild to severe, include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.. The severity of symptoms depends on many factors, including the amount of lactose a person can tolerate and a person’s age, ethnicity, and digestion rate.

.
Symptoms include:
Nausea
Cramping
Bloating
Abdominal rumbling sounds
Gas
Diarrhea
Loose stools

Diagnosis:
Lactose intolerance can be hard to diagnose based on symptoms alone. People sometimes think they suffer from lactose intolerance because they have the symptoms associated with the disorder, not knowing other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome can cause similar symptoms. A doctor can use tests to diagnose lactose intolerance but may first recommend eliminating cow’s milk from the diet to see if the symptoms go away.

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Often the doctor will recommend a two-week trial period of eating no milk or milk products. If symptoms subside, you will be asked to consume milk products again. If milk causes symptoms to recur, you will be diagnosed with lactose intolerance.

Your doctor may also order some tests, which may include:
Lactose Tolerance Test   measures the amount of glucose (simple sugar that is created from lactose) absorbed two hours after drinking a high-lactose liquid. This tells how well the body is digesting lactose.

Hydrogen Breath Test   measures how much hydrogen is exhaled after drinking a high-lactose liquid

Stool Acidity Test (for infants and small children)   measures lactic acid in the stool

Biopsy of the Small Intestine   removing and testing a sample of tissue to confirm lactase deficiency (only performed in rare cases)

Treatment:
Lactose intolerance is easy to treat. No treatment can improve the body’s ability to produce lactase, but symptoms can be controlled through diet.
Young children and infants with lactase deficiency should not consume lactose-containing formulas or foods until they are able to tolerate lactose digestion. Most older children and adults do not have to avoid lactose completely, but people differ in the amounts and types of foods they can handle. For example, one person may have symptoms after drinking a small glass of milk, while another can drink one glass but not two. Others may be able to manage ice cream and aged cheeses, such as cheddar and Swiss, but not other dairy products. People can also tolerate more lactose by having smaller amounts of it at one time. The level of dietary control needed with lactose intolerance depends on how much lactose a person’s body can handle.

For those who react to very small amounts of lactose or have trouble limiting their intake of foods that contain it, the lactase enzyme is available without a prescription to help people digest foods that contain lactose. The tablets are taken with the first bite of dairy food. Lactase enzyme is also available as a liquid. Adding a few drops of the enzyme makes lactose more digestible for people with lactose intolerance.

Lactose-reduced milk and other products are available at most supermarkets. The milk contains all of the nutrients found in regular milk and remains fresh for about the same length of time, or longer if it is super-pasteurized.


Currently there is no way to increase the body’s production of lactase, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

Treatments include:

Dietary Changes And Dietary changes include:
Keep a food diary of what you eat and what the reaction is. Discuss the findings with your doctor or a dietitian.
Make gradual changes to your diet and record the results.
Try eating a smaller portion before giving up on a dairy product. Dairy products made from milk include:
Ice cream
Sherbet
Cream
Butter
Cheese
Yogurt
Aged cheese and yogurt may be easier to tolerate than other dairy products.
Try milk that is modified so it contains less lactose.
Ask a dietitian for help choosing substitutes for dairy products or recommending supplements to ensure that you eat enough calcium.
Non-dairy foods rich in calcium include:
Salmon
Sardines
Oysters
Collard greens
Broccoli
Read product labels because other foods containing lactose include:
Breads
Baked goods
Processed cereals
Instant potatoes and soups
Margarine
Non-kosher lunchmeats
Salad dressings
Candies
Pancake mixes
Frozen dinners
Other words that indicate lactose are:
Whey
Curds
Dry milk solids
Nonfat dry milk
Milk by-products

.
Be aware that some medications may contain small amounts of lactose.

Medications
The doctor may recommend lactase enzymes if you can tolerate only small quantities of lactose. The enzyme supplements come in liquid and chewable form. A few drops of the liquid added to milk allowed to sit overnight can decrease the amount of lactose in the milk by 70-90%. Tablets are chewed or swallowed prior to eating foods that contain lactose.

Ayurvedic answers to lactose intolerance

Can Homeopathy cure lactose intolerance

Prevention
There are no guidelines for preventing lactose intolerance.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

RESOURCES:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/index.htm and
http://www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/getcontent.aspx?cid=11717

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

General Debility

 

[amazon_link asins=’B01BW4BOCU,B001CUQMW2′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’88a5db33-3d6d-11e7-b497-051c4ffe457b’]

General Debility means the lack of strength of the human beings. In ayurveda strength is “Balam”. Balam is described as Immunities. Charaka has used the word Vyadhi and “Avyadhi kshamatwa” in this reference. Those who are capable to tolerating diseases are called “Vyadhi Kshamatwa “ resistance to disease. Those who can not tolerate diseases measurable and immediate affected by them are called “Vayadhi Akham” which is symptoms to general debility or general weakness lack of strength.

Symptoms :
Weakness is very common symptom. The feeling of weakness may be subjective (the person(total body weakness) or localize to specific area, side the body , limb and so on .

As subjective feeling of weakness usually is generalized and association with infection diseases.

(total body weakness) or localize to specific area, side the body , limb and so on .

As subjective feeling of weakness usually is generalized and association with infection diseases.

Weakness is particularly important when it occurs in only one area of the body .

Main Causes are : Lack of neutritional food, Over work, unusual mental & physical stress,Common cold & Cough, Influenza or viral fever etc.etc.
Healing Options :

Herbal Remedy: 1. Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) 2.Satawari (Asparagus racemosus) 3.Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) 4.Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula):

Ayurvedic Supplements: 1.Chyawanprash Special 2. Amlaki Rasayan 3. Keshri Kalp 4.Stress Guard

Diet: In principal of good nutrition:

Drink more water.

It less fat. Provide a concentrated source of energy, make food more palatable and help you feel satisfied you will certainly get all the nutrients you need from fat if you include a certain amount of milk, cheese, and egg in your diet.

Eat less Animal protein.
Eat more fiber rich carbohydrates (Sugar, Bread, cake, puddings etc).
Eat more fruits, vegetables and grains.
Use less salt and sugar in your diet.
If you drink alcohols, do so in moderation.
Eat sensibly, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. This type of diet should be high in the following immune strengthening nutrients: beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C vitamin B6 ,folic acid ,zinc and selenium.

Home Remedy: Sage is an excellent pick-me-up. Take 100g of fresh sage leaves and soak them in a bottle of white wine for two weeks. Add honey for sweetening and leave for an extra 24 hours. Use a muslin cloth for straining, making sure your press as you strain. Collect the solution in a bottle and drink a little before meals.

Life Style: Get in the habit of exercising regularly.At least walk for half an hour daily in fresh air.Try to have a good night sleep, go to bed early and get up early.Make daily timely eating and timely toilet habit.

Avoid habits that can compromise your immune system, such as cigarette smoking, excessive alcoholic intake, drug use, and multiple sexual partners without appropriate protection.

Keep your chin up: try to maintain emotional stability and a positive outlook. Positive thinking is always essential to get rid of any kind of mental seekness.

Yoga: 1.Meditation 2. Regulation of breath (pranayama)

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Source:Allayurveda.com

Related articles
Categories
Healthy Tips

Enhancing your diet

[amazon_link asins=’1536976040,B00CICVMFA’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4507fe8a-1a7f-11e7-b8c7-ed3f6cf04c2e’]

[amazon_link asins=’B00GB85MZI,B01FR9TSQK’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’61b7e5ce-1a7f-11e7-a5f6-876d57f49d15′]

Conventional wisdom has long held that as long as people who are healthy eat well enough to avoid specific nutritional deficiencies, they don’t need to supplement their diet. The only thing they have to do is consume a diet that meets the RDAs –– Recommended Dietary Allowances — and other guidelines for vitamin and mineral intakes developed by health agencies of the federal government.

But even if one accepts the government’s standards for vitamin and mineral intakes as adequate for good health, the evidence is overwhelming that most people don’t come close to meeting those nutritional requirements. Surveys show that only 9% of Americans eat five daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables — the amount recommended for obtaining the minimum level of nutrients believed necessary to prevent illness.

Average calcium consumption in the United States and Canada is estimated to be about 60% of the current suggested level of 1,000 mg for younger adults — and far below the 1,200 mg recommended for men and women ages 50 to 70.

According to a review of national data by experts at the University of California, Berkeley, people often make food choices that are nutritionally poor: For example, they are more likely to select french fries than broccoli as a vegetable serving, and will opt for a soft drink rather than a glass of skim milk as a beverage. Not only may these and other foods contribute too much fat and sugar to your diet, but they can also result in less-than-optimal intakes of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Many American diets, these experts point out, contain half the recommended amounts of magnesium and folic acid. Vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as iron and zinc, are other nutrients that surveys show are at notably low levels in the American diet.

Even with the best nutritional planning, it is difficult to maintain a diet that meets the RDAs for all nutrients. For example, vegetarians, who as a group are healthier than meat eaters (and who tend to avoid junk foods lacking in vitamins and minerals), still may be deficient in some nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. And most people who want to maintain a healthy low-fat diet will have a problem obtaining the recommended amounts of vitamin E from their food alone, because so many of the food sources for vitamin E are high in fat. Another complication is that a balanced diet may not contain the more specialized substances — fish oils, soy isoflavones, or alpha-lipoic acid — that researchers think may promote health. For generally healthy people who cannot always eat a well-balanced diet every day, a supplement can fill in these nutritional gaps or boost the nutrients they consume from adequate to optimal.

There are various other reasons why people who maintain good eating habits might benefit from a daily supplement. Some experts now believe that exposure to environmental pollutants — from car emissions to industrial chemicals and wastes — can cause damage in myriad ways inside the body at the cellular level, destroying tissues and depleting the body of nutrients. Many supplements, particularly those that act as antioxidants, can help control the cell and tissue damage that follows toxic exposure . Recent evidence also indicates that certain medications, excess alcohol, smoking, and persistent stress may interfere with the absorption of certain key nutrients. And even an excellent diet would be unable to make up for such a shortfall.

Source:Your Guide to
Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Related articles
Categories
Featured

Preventing disease, slowing aging

[amazon_link asins=’B001FXODBS,B00X127CGE’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’cc95e963-1a72-11e7-ad01-43e7eb54ee33′]

[amazon_link asins=’B00W44YZS8,B01N22PIIR’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f67a3f13-1a72-11e7-b296-c946f2fc38a3′]

For many years, it was thought that a lack of nutrients was linked only to specific deficiency diseases such as scurvy, a condition marked by soft gums and loose teeth that is caused by too little vitamin C. In the past three decades, however, thousands of scientific studies have all indicated that specific nutrients appear to play an important role in the prevention of a number of chronic, degenerative diseases common in contemporary Western societies.

click & see

Many recent studies highlighting the disease-fighting potential of different nutrients . What most of these studies reveal is that the level of nutrients associated with disease prevention is often significantly higher than the current RDAs. And to achieve these higher levels, the participants in these studies often had to depend on supplements.

In slowing or preventing the development of disease, some experts suggest that nutrients, particularly the antioxidants, can also delay the wear and tear of aging itself by reducing the damage done to cells. This idea doesn’t mean vitamin E or coenzyme Q10, for example, are”youth potions.” But several recent studies, including work done at the Nutritional Immunological Laboratory at Tufts University, have found that supplementation with single nutrients, such as vitamin E, or with multivitamin and mineral supplements, appear to improve immune response among older people.

For example, a study of 11,178 elderly subjects, conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging, showed that the use of vitamin E was associated with a lowered risk of total mortality, and especially of death from heart disease. In fact, vitamin E users were only half as likely to die of heart disease as those taking no supplements. In addition, there is evidence that antioxidant supplements are effective in lowering the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, two age-related conditions in which vision slowly deteriorates.

Other supplements that serve as high-potency antioxidants against aging disorders include selenium, carotenoids, flavonoids, certain amino acids, and coenzyme Q10. Some experts also believe that the herb ginkgo biloba may improve many age-related symptoms, especially those involving reduced blood flow, such as dizziness, impotence, and short-term memory loss. Substances found in echinacea and other herbs are reported to strengthen the immune system, and phytoestrogens such as soy isoflavones are thought to help delay or prevent some of the effects of menopause, as well as to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Too Many Beneifits: Too Good to Be True?

When you see a supplement label that lists a variety of functions and benefits for a single herb or substance, you might wonder if this is more marketing hype than facts. You can’t rely entirely on label claims, because they aren’t scrutinized for accuracy by the government or any other agency. But as you will see in reading the entries in this book, some supplements do have multiple effects that are well documented.

Consider an herb such as green tea. According to many studies, its benefits may include helping control several cancers, including colon and pancreatic cancer; protecting against heart disease; inhibiting the action of bacteria; combating tooth decay; and acting as an antioxidant to bolster the immune system. All of these benefits aren’t too surprising, given that researchers have identified various active components in green tea.

You should be aware that many common medications were initially developed for one purpose. As more people take the drugs and their effects are studied, new uses come to light. Imagine a drug that can cure headaches, relieve arthritis, help prevent heart disease, ease the pain of athletic injuries, and reduce the risk of colon cancer. It’s aspirin, of course — and its precursor came from an herbal source, the bark of the white willow tree.

Source:Your Guide to
Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Related articles
css.php