In underdeveloped countries, inadequate nutrition is the main cause of blindness. Vitamins are antioxidants that keep our body including our eyes healthy. Vitamins A, C, and E have all been shown to be important in eyehealth. There is increasing evidence that many fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables and fish contains components which are important for eye health(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Eye-Health.html).

Vitamin A

Most mothers will tell their children to finish their carrots as it is good for the eyes. Carrots are loaded with Vitamin A. One carrot contains double the USA. recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A. This vitamin is critical in preventing many diseases connected with eyesight. Most importantly it prevents night blindness(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Night-Blindness.html). Vitamin A deficiency also leads to xerophthalmia, dryness in the eyes, corneal ulcers and swollen eyelids. All these can lead to blindness. Vitamin A is also important as people age, as it prevents cataracts from forming and helps in preventing blindness from macular degeneration. The recommended intake for males is 1000 retinal equivalents (RE) while females need about 800 RE per day, if you feel you are not meeting this with your diet then you may wish to consider an eye health supplement. It is important to read labels if taking Vitamin A eye health supplements as is can be toxic if large amounts area taken. This is also particularly important when you are pregnant as excess Vitamins A can cause birth defects.

Most red, yellow or orange foods contain beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A. Along with carrots, fruits like cantaloupe, mango, vegetables like pumpkin, red pepper, papaya and mango are excellent sources of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is also found in spinach and other green leafy vegetables, sweet potato, fish, especially cod liver oil and chicken or meat liver.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is often called a superhero and is certainly a key ingredient in any eye health supplement. It helps in preventing many age-related vision problems such as cataract. This occurs when there is a buildup of protein which eventually clouds the vision. Vitamins C may also help in delaying age-related macular degeneration which has no cure. A survey showed that if the onset of cataracts could be delayed by ten years, then related operations could be avoided. This is because most cataracts set in as people get older and surgeries are usually done above the age of 65 or 70 meaning that if they are delayed by ten years, cataract will not develop in the person’s lifetime.

Vitamin C is found in all citrus fruits, guava, strawberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, raspberries, tomatoes, plums, green leafy vegetables, red and green peppers, papaya, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, grapes, potatoes, spinach kiwifruit and cranberries. In fact most fruit and vegetable sources contain some Vitamin C. It can also be found in some animal sources but cooking destroys Vitamin C. The USA recommended allowance for Vitamin C in both males and females is 60 milligrams per day. The human body cannot synthesize this vitamin nor does it stay in the body for long. Factors like smoking, pollution, diabetes and other problems affect its absorption. Processing destroys Vitamin C so it is best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to get the maximum benefits.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E also helps in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration and optimizing eye health. The USA recommended daily allowance is 10 mg for males and 8 mg for females. This is found in all nuts, legumes and some fruits like mango, again if dietary intake is not adequate then an eye health supplement may be a good idea.

Research has shown that bioflavonoids also act as important antioxidants and they help us to absorb Vitamin C better. These are the compounds that give fruits their color. Lutein and Zeaxanthin, two other antioxidants found naturally in vegetables and fruits also help in eye health. It is also important to consume foods rich in essential fatty acids and minerals for better eyesight. All in all, it would be best to increase the daily fruit and vegetable intake to keep those peepers in good shape, if this kind of food doesn’t tickle you fancy then it may be worth considering an eye health supplement.

Mitamins Team
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/vitamins-for-better-sight-95477.html

Where to buy vitamins? Hmmm… Let’s jump right into it, okay? STAY THE HECK OUT OF THE DRUGSTORE!

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s explore our remaining options of where to buy vitamins. 

Grocery Store? No.

Fitness Supplement Store? Perhaps.

Health Food Store? Definitely.

Online? If from a trustworthy source, Yes.

In all reality, it’s more a matter of what vitamins to buy than of where to buy vitamin & mineral supplements. Typically, however, the kinds of supplements that actually nourish and support the human body are in short supply in a chain grocery outlet or “Drug” store. We absolutely do NOT want to buy “drugs.”

What we DO want to buy are all natural whole-food vitamins & minerals. These supplements contain ingredients that our bodies recognize and can actually use (what a concept, right?). 

Synthetic vitamins are nothing more than drugs disguised as vitamins. They’re manufactured chemically, in some lab by folks in white coats. Their mineral content is basically just crushed up rocks, which can cut up our sensitive internal tissues, cells, and vessels. They taste disgusting, give us nasty “vitamin burps”, and usually just end up as expensive fluorescent urine! Let this be your first clue!

Whole-food vitamins are made from concentrated grasses, algae, vegetables, flora, leaves, bark, roots, berries, fruits, and ocean vegetation, among other superb natural ingredients. They contain probiotics, chelated and trace minerals, high-quality proteins, amino acids, a full supply of amazing vitamins, fantastic Ph levels, fiber, and essential fatty acids.

No matter where you buy this type of vitamin & mineral supplement, just please make sure you do, in fact, buy this type of vitamin & mineral supplement. The benefits are mind blowing:

• Healthy, Rapid Weight Loss
• Amazing, Lasting Energy Levels
• Dramatic Dissipation of Aches and Pains
• Phenomenal, Stable Emotional and Mental Health
• Improved Memory
• Bright, Clear Eyes, Skin, Hair, and Nails
• Vibrant, Youthful Overall Appearance
• Improved Flexibility and Joint Function
• Reversal of Disease… Or At A Minimum, Drastically Reduced Symptomology
• Improved Eye Function (Vision)
• Much, Much More!

And synthetic drugstore vitamins? That’s right, “vitamin burps” and expensive, fluorescent urine!

You’re most likely to find a quality whole-food vitamin & mineral supplement at either your local health food store or online. I recommend a great all-purpose multivitamin and a super greens powder (a dehydrated, highly alkaline green drink mix). Together, these will take your health and your happiness to the next level.

To check out the supplement that I’ve found to be the best for me personally, Click Here and see if you think it could benefit you, as well. 

In addition, a daily Green Drink regimine is highly encouraged.

I’m rooting for you!  Thank you for reading.

kindercold
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/where-to-buy-vitamins-701767.html

Most of us have heard that antioxidant vitamins have many health benefits and can even prevent cancer. But getting the correct intake of antioxidants every day as not as simple as eating your fruits and veggies regularly. Find out how to take the most advantage of antioxidants in everyday life and to stay younger and healthier.

Cancer can affect anybody, and despite all the cancer research there is still no real cure for it. That is why it is so important for everybody, to take some preventive measures against cancer. The best way to prevent cancer is to include antioxidant vitamins into your everyday diet.

We all know how bad free radicals can be for our health. But what are they? To put it simply, free radicals are particles that allow extra oxygen into human cells, which causes the cells to break. Antioxidant vitamins can stop this distractive process.

Antioxidant vitamins rich foods

All doctors recommend including a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet. These bring many benefits to your health, being low in fat and high in fiber. But they are also very rich in antioxidants. Brightly colored vegetables and fruits contain the most antioxidants. So including beetroot, carrots and red capsicum in your everyday menu, would serve you a reasonable amount of antioxidants.

Here are foods with highest content of antioxidants

- cherries,
- blackberry,
- strawberry,
- blueberry,
- red grape
- walnuts
- sunflower seeds
- ginger
- spices
- green tea
- coffee without milk

Common vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are all powerful antioxidants, so all fruits rich in these vitamins should be included. But there are many more, for example red wine and red grape contains Reservatrol, an important antioxidant. Another great antioxidant Flavonoid can be found in green tea. So, the most sensible thing to do is to include a wide variety of different fruits, vegetables and berries in your diet. Berries are particularly good, because they all contain large quantities of antioxidant vitamins.

And there is one more source of antioxidants, a food that is usually on a “bad for you” list – chocolate. But it has to be dark chocolate; milk chocolate doesn’t have antioxidant properties. When you eat chocolate, or any antioxidant food, avoid drinking milk at the same time. Milk significantly reduces the effect of antioxidants.

Antioxidant vitamin supplements – are they any good?

Getting vitamins and antioxidants from natural sources is of cause the best. However, with our busy lives many people can’t eat as much fresh produce as they would like. Also bear in mind that when you buy vegetables and fruits during winter months, their antioxidant value is very low. Most vitamins are easily destroyed by light and storage, so tomatoes that are sold in a supermarket in December give you almost no health benefits, even though in general a tomato is considered a good source of antioxidants.

In this case antioxidant supplements can be beneficial. There are plenty of vitamins and dietary supplements on the market. Some of them are specifically marketed as “antioxidant supplements” others are just a variety of vitamins. Many multivitamins contains 100% of all essential vitamins for your health. Also remember, that Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and multivitamins usually don’t contain enough of Vitamin C. So it makes since to take additional Vitamin C supplements.

Whether or not vitamin supplements are as good for you as antioxidants from natural sources is debatable. Some doctors say that by taking antioxidant supplements you can meet most of your antioxidant needs. Others argue that supplements are not as beneficial as vitamins you get from food.

The problem is that vitamins in a pill are not as easily absorbed by our bodies as nutrients we get from food. So eating mostly fast food and taking antioxidant vitamin supplements to compensate is not such a good idea after all.

You can also get natural antioxidant supplements, like grape seed extract. These are absorbed better, than synthetic vitamins.

More health benefits of antioxidants

The best you can do for yourself is to include antioxidant rich foods in your diet and take antioxidants supplements if you feel that you need additional antioxidant boost. But only take quality antioxidant supplements, when it comes to vitamins they are not the same.

Tatyana Turner
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/antioxidant-vitamins-as-cancer-prevention-84097.html

It is essential that a person is aware of what constitutes good food health vitamin intake. The federal drug administration produces a recommended daily allowance for the majority of vitamins which it regards as a good food health vitamin intake. These figures vary according to a person’s age, sex and some other factors so that the good food health vitamin intake for a young woman is going to be different to that of a man in his seventies.

The food health vitamin intake amounts of certain foods are included in the nutritional labelling. This labelling is important for a person to consider and helps ensure that they are receiving the correct food health vitamin intake from the foods that they eat. The nutritional information is often represented as a percentage of the recommended daily allowance of each vitamin and mineral and can help assess the value of the foods in the quest for good food health vitamin intake.

There are also a number of items that a person may want to restrict in their diet as part of their good food health vitamin intake. Again, the nutritional labelling of certain foods can help a person to see how high a product is in these undesirable contents. Salt and fat, for example, may be items that a person wants to consider limiting as part of their good food health vitamin intake even though they are not strictly vitamins. The majority of people actually refer to nutrients when they use the word vitamin and food manufacturers are aware that a person is looking at minerals and other items when they are considering their good food health vitamin intake. Fiber is another element that many people are more aware of as forming an essential part of a balanced diet and is necessary for good food health vitamin intake.

If a person is on a restricted diet for any reason then they need to pay even more attention to their good food health vitamin intake. Obviously, some foods contain different nutrients to others and this is applicable to vitamins as well and it may be more difficult for a person to achieve their good food health vitamin intake if they are unable to eat certain foods. Vitamin supplements can form an essential part of a good food health vitamin intake for people who are unable to obtain their vitamins from their normal diet. It is also worth remembering that the good food health vitamin intake for a person varies throughout their life depending on their general health.

Jake Saab
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/eating-good-food-with-vitamins-656924.html

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jessica williams
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/quality-health-starts-with-vitamins-and-nutritions-ivitaminsus-1124283.html

Those who read the story of Daniel Tammet, a few years ago, were totally stunned. We watched in jaw-dropping astonishment as Daniel Tammet calculated to the hundredth decimal, all in his mind and within a few seconds. Incredibly, he can also learn a new language in just one week. Scientists believe that once they understand how to tap the right resources in our brain, not just Daniel Tammet, but all of us would be able to perform these amazing brain theatricals.

But for mortals like us who struggle with “senior moments” even at the age of 35, scientists have hope for us yet. Yes! It’s all to do with brain foods—the right nutrients that can power the brain to perform optimally supporting cognitive, motor, memory and mood functions—even if we never reach genius proportions, a well-versed brain is quite a feat in itself.

Eat More Brain Vitamins
Medical evidence strongly suggests that those who pay attention to a healthy diet and regular exercise give their bodies an advantage and may enjoy physical and mental wellbeing well into their senior years. While the brain weighs just about 2 pounds, it uses up 20 percent of our body’s oxygen supply so keeping the brain oxygenated through proper circulation is vital to brain health.

In addition to good nutrition and exercise, our brains need to be sharpened by mental workouts, just like our muscles need toning and firming for optimal performance. Conversely, poor nutrition (vitamin deficiencies), certain medications, decreased physical activity, even trauma and stress may negatively affect the performance of the brain.

What kind of brain nutrients should you eat? Here’s a list of essential vitamins, botanicals, antioxidants and nutrients that you should add to your diet for sustaining brain power:

Vitamin B12
Did you know that your brain shrinks as you age? Vitamin B12 is believed to help protect the brain against this age-related atrophy. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy functions of the brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 is needed for the formation of new blood cells.

Vitamin B12 deficiencies have been linked to brain atrophy and impaired cognitive brain functions. B12 is found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and milk products in good concentrations. Fortified breakfast cereals can also be a good source for B12. Those on purely vegetarian and vegan diets and the elderly are more susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Citicoline
Citicoline is a form of Choline, a recent addition to the Vitamin B family. Cognizin® is a proprietary compound of Citicoline. It helps neurons to produce energy in the brain. Choline supports cognitive brain functions and the retention of memory. It promotes cell to cell communication and healthy brain aging. Almonds, asparagus, eggs, navy beans are natural sources of choline.

Huperzine A
Huperzine A is an antioxidant that works as a neuroprotective agent. It is believed to help sharpen memory skills and support cognitive functions of the brain. Huperzine is derived from medicinal plants and has been traditionally used in China for centuries.

Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is a nutrient derived from the periwinkle plant. It supports the retention of memory, cognitive performance, mental sharpness and alertness. Is promotes cerebral circulation thereby keeping the brain oxygenated. It is used extensively in Europe.

Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is present in the brain. It helps to support memory, concentration, learning, and protect against age-related moodiness.

Blueberry Extract
Blueberries contain powerful antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help to protect cells from degeneration. Antioxidants support brain health at the basic cellular level. Blueberries support motor skills, coordination and balance.

It is noted that people who take a proactive approach to health are agile and are able to retain mental sharpness even as they advance in age. A healthy diet, regular physical exercise and mental workouts along with brain vitamins like Memory Matrix containing memory-specific nutrients can help support mental acuity, coordination and general cerebral health.

Kevin Agrawal
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/vitamins-for-brain-health-961729.html

Your health is very important, and having bad health can prove to be very discouraging. No doubt you want to do everything that you can to make sure that you improve and maintain good health. While no matter what you do, you probably will not improve your health overnight, there are a variety of things that can help to improve your health if you keep at it. The following are some very simple things that you can do on your own to start improving your health.

Start Moving
One very simple thing that you can start to do every day to improve your health is to get moving. Anything that gets you moving is a great way to improve your health. Start taking the stairs instead of elevators, park far away from the store so you get to walk a bit. You can even start to schedule time to play outside with your kids or your pet. Walking your dog every day is a great way to start moving as well. Although you do not need to start exercising for an hour every day, just scheduling in 15-20 minutes of moving can help to drastically improve your health.

Avoid Fat
Cutting fats out of your diet can be a great way to improve your health as well. Start skipping the high fat fast food and choosing healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables. You should also watch out for dairy products as well, since they tend to be quite high in fat too. Start looking for foods that are fat free or low fat, and start eating them instead of their high fat competitors.

Stop Smoking
One thing that many people are doing that will lead them to an early grave is smoking. If you want your health to improve in drastic ways, then you need to stop smoking as soon as possible. While it may not be easy to quit, if you keep smoking it will probably kill you in the long run. Smoking can have a variety of bad effects on your health, including respiratory problems, heart problems, cancers, and more. If you are serious about improving your health, then you need to stop smoking now.

Get Rid of Stress
While it is definitely easy to say than it is to do it, getting rid of stress can help you improve your health in amazing ways. It is important that you start finding ways to reduce the stress in your life. Take up a hobby or start doing relaxation or yoga if you find it helps to melt the stress away. Start thinking more positively and take time out for yourself as well. Stress can cause all kinds of physical and emotional problems, so get rid of it and improve your health.

Start Flossing
Your teeth are very important as well, and have a lot to do with your total health. One thing that you can do to improve the health of your teeth is to start flossing every day. While brushing your teeth and using mouthwash is great, usually it is difficult to get to those germs and food that are between your teeth. If you start flossing your teeth will last longer and your mouth will be healthier as well.

Drink More Water
If you want to improve your health, one simple thing that you can do is to start drinking more water every day. No doubt you have always heard that you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and you should drink that much if not more. Drinking water helps to keep you hydrated and flushes out your system as well, which can promote health. Start taking water with you everywhere and you will start feeling better very quickly.

Cut Down on Salt
One thing that many people do not think about when they are considering their health is salt. While a bit of salt may not cause any harm, too much salt can cause a variety of problems within the body, including high blood pressure. Just cutting back on the amount of salt that you eat each day can help to improve your health now and in the long run.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
While you’ve probably heard your mother telling you all your life to eat more fruits and vegetables, it really can help to improve your health. Fruits and vegetables are filled with great vitamins and antioxidants that can help the way your body functions. They can even help you fight off infections and colds as well. Start eating more fruits and vegetables daily and you will see an improvement in your health.

Adrian Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/simple-things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-health-133049.html

Carbohydrates:
 
     Carbohydrates are our energy food or what we call macronutrients. There are three other macronutrients in our diet in addition to carbohydrates, which are proteins, fat and alcohol. It is important to understand that a carbohydrate is not a food, but rather a very important component of food.
     Foods such as cereals, breads, pasta, rice, fruits and some vegetables (e.g. potato) are called "carbohydrates" but strictly speaking these are carbohydrate-rich foods.
Carbohydrates are the single most important source of energy in our diet. For a healthy heart, carbohydrates should make up about 55% of daily energy needs from food intake. Most carbohydrate-rich foods are also rich sources of vitamins (particularly B-vitamins and folate), minerals (including Iron and Zinc), as well as fibre and phytochemicals (other natural components of food found to be beneficial for health.)

Carbohydrates are a combination of the following:
  1.Starch – found in bread, cereal, pasta, grains, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, and
  2.Sugars – including natural sugar (found in foods like fruit, milk, yoghurt, honey) and added sugars (found in foods like soft drinks, cake, confectionary, biscuits)
During digestion, sugars and starches are broken down into single carbohydrate units (including glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose and maltose) to enable the body to absorb them. They are then all converted into glucose, which is used as energy by the body. Some types of carbohydrates are less digestible than others and cannot be broken down into glucose – these are classified as dietary fibre.
    Sugar, syrup, candy, honey, jams, jelly, molasses, and soft drinks contain simple carbohydrates and little if any nutrients.
    Fruits contain primarily simple carbohydrate but also valuable vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
    Vegetables contain varying amounts of simple and complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
    Legumes such as beans, peas, lentils and soybeans contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein.
    Milk products contain simple carbohydrates along with protein, calcium and other nutrients.
    Grain products contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein. The amounts vary depending on the type of grain used and the amount of processing. Selecting whole grain options whenever possible is recommended.

Fibre:
 
   Fibre is the structural part of a plant which cannot be broken down by enzymes of digestion. Fibre is found in plant foods including fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, nuts and legumes (dried peas, beans and lentils). Animal foods and dairy products do not contain fibre.
   There are two main types of dietary fibre – soluble and insoluble fibre:
    Soluble Fibre may help to lower blood cholesterol levels when eaten as part of a well balanced low fat diet. Soluble fibre may also assist in controlling blood sugar levels and in the treatment of obesity. Foods rich in soluble fibre include oats, fruit and legumes.
    Insoluble Fibre assists in preventing constipation. Foods rich in this type of fibre include wheat based bread and cereals, legumes, lentils and pasta.

How to get more fibre:
 
    The following are a few ways to incorporate fibre into your everyday diet:
    1.Opt for wholegrain, wholemeal, dark rye or high fibre white breads. Wholegrains are the preferred choice to white,eg.wholemeal flour, brown rice or wholemeal pasta.
    2.Choose wholemeal or rye dry biscuits and wholegrain muffins.
    3.Choose wholemeal breakfast cereals including bran cereals, un-toasted muesli or rolled oats, such as porridge.
    4.Combine meat dishes with rice, beans, oatmeal and lentils.
    5.Eat all types of fruit and vegetables (fresh, dried, tinned) and where possible, also eat the skins, such as jacket potatoes.

Water:

    Next to oxygen, water is the human body’s most important nutrient.Yet 75% of Australians are chronically dehydrated and fail to consume enough water for adequate hydration.
    Water is part of the body’s cells, tissues, organs and also every process in the body. In fact, up to 60% of the human body is water. Water is important for the following body functions;
   -Regulating body temperature.
   -Removing waste from the body.
   -Carrying nutrients, oxygen and glucose to the cells to give the body energy.
   -Providing natural moisture to skin and other tissues.
   -Cushioning joints and helping to strengthen muscles.
   -Keeping stools softer.
      If you wait until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated and may have lost ½-1 litre of water, so it is important to drink before you are thirsty.
So how much fluid is needed daily?
1.1500-2000 mils per day for adults (6-8 glasses of water)
2.1000-1500 mils per day for children (4-6 glasses of water)

Fats:

     There are three main types of fat found in food: saturated fat, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. Our bodies need some fat from our diet and many fats also carry vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are beneficial for our health. Therefore, consuming small amounts of healthier fats can actually improve your overall health.
     However, excess intake of all types of fat leads to weight gain. If you are overweight, excess fat around your middle (termed ‘central obesity’) can result in increased risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
 
Types of Fat in the Diet:

Saturated Fat:
    Saturated fat is solid at room temperature and found mostly in animal products (the exception being palm & coconut oils) such as fatty cuts of meat, chicken skin, and full-fat dairy products like butter, whole milk, cream, and cheese, and in tropical vegetable oils such as palm, palm kernel, and coconut oil. Saturated fat in the diet raises the level of LDL "bad" cholesterol in your blood. The higher the LDL cholesterol, the greater the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), by eventually causing a blockage in the arteries of your heart causing a heart attack or hardening of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis).

Monounsaturated Fat:
    This type of fat is liquid at room temperature and found in plant products such as olive, peanut, and canola oils as well as avocados and most nuts. Research has shown that these types of fats, when consumed in small amounts (and with a diet low in saturated fat), can actually lower your risk of heart disease. This is because it causes a reduction in bad cholesterol (LDL-Cholesterol) and an increase in good cholesterol (HDL-Cholesterol).

Polyunsaturated Fat:
    This kind of fat is made of important fats such as Omega-3 fats & Omega-6 fats. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include vegetable oil, such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soy and cotton seed oils and fish & seafood products. Research has also shown that these fats can lower our risk of heart disease. This is due to a reduced tendency of blood clotting, which is the cause of heart attacks (found in Omega-3 fats).
 
Trans Fats:
    This is a type of unsaturated fat that is created in the many processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, pies, margarine and take-away or fast food. This is one of the more dangerous fats because it increases your risk of heart disease by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol and decreasing the amount of good cholesterol in the blood.
 
Why is excess fat bad for your health:
    Fats have the highest kilojoule (or calorie) content of all foods (38Kj per gram, compared to carbohydrates that have 17Kj per gram and protein that has 19Kj per gram). It is also the least satiating of nutrients, meaning that it doesn’t fill you up or leave you satisfied which can lead to over-consumption and weight gain.

A diet high in Total Fats can lead to:
  1.An increase in weight gain.
  2.Increased risk of Type II Diabetes or impaired glucose control.
  3.Increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
  4.Increased blood triglycerides (triglyceride is another "fat" in your blood, and high levels encourage LDL or "bad" cholesterol to build up in the blood)
  5.Increased bloodnpressure.
  6.Increased blood cholesterol.

   However fats shouldn’t be completely avoided. Consuming small amounts of healthier fats can actually improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease. Remember that the type of fat consumed and the amount of fat consumed are important factors.

Protein:
 
   Thousands of various substances in the body are made up of proteins. Aside from water, proteins form the major part of our muscles, organs and immune system, about 16% of body weight.
   Many foods contain protein, but the best sources are:
      1.Beef
      2.Poultry
      3.Fish
      4.Eggs
      5.Dairy products
      6.Nuts
      7.Seeds
      8.Legumes like black beans
 
      The body uses the protein eaten to make lots of specialised protein molecules that have specific jobs. For instance, the body uses proteins to make haemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of the body. Other proteins are used to build cardiac muscles, for example the heart. In fact, whether you’re running or just watching TV, protein is doing important work like moving your legs, moving your lungs, and protecting you from disease.
      When you eat foods containing protein, the digestive juices in your stomach and intestine go to work breaking down the protein in food into basic units, called amino acids. The amino acids can then be stored and reused to make the proteins the body needs to maintain bones, blood and body organs.

Protein Content:
 
    You need approximately 1 gram of protein each day for every kilogram you weigh.
Looking at a food label to find out how many protein grams are in a serving is helpful, but if you’re eating a balanced diet, you don’t need to keep track of it. It’s pretty easy to get enough protein in your diet.

Reference: http://www.healthonclick.com HealthOnclick

devika
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/nutrients-for-health-724833.html

Get Rid of Stress
While it is definitely easy to say than it is to do it, getting rid of stress can help you improve your health in amazing ways. It is important that you start finding ways to reduce the stress in your life. Take up a hobby or start doing relaxation or yoga if you find it helps to melt the stress away. Start thinking more positively and take time out for yourself as well. Stress can cause all kinds of physical and emotional problems, so get rid of it and improve your health.

Start Flossing
Your teeth are very important as well, and have a lot to do with your total health. One thing that you can do to improve the health of your teeth is to start flossing every day. While brushing your teeth and using mouthwash is great, usually it is difficult to get to those germs and food that are between your teeth. If you start flossing your teeth will last longer and your mouth will be healthier as well.

Drink More Water
If you want to improve your health, one simple thing that you can do is to start drinking more water every day. No doubt you have always heard that you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and you should drink that much if not more. Drinking water helps to keep you hydrated and flushes out your system as well, which can promote health. Start taking water with you everywhere and you will start feeling better very quickly.

Cut Down on Salt
One thing that many people do not think about when they are considering their health is salt. While a bit of salt may not cause any harm, too much salt can cause a variety of problems within the body, including high blood pressure. Just cutting back on the amount of salt that you eat each day can help to improve your health now and in the long run.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
While you’ve probably heard your mother telling you all your life to eat more fruits and vegetables, it really can help to improve your health. Fruits and vegetables are filled with great vitamins and antioxidants that can help the way your body functions. They can even help you fight off infections and colds as well. Start eating more fruits and vegetables daily and you will see an improvement in your health.

Gabriel Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/simple-things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-health-part-2-135277.html

Menopause vitamins and menopause herbs do exist. When considering menopause vitamins, understand that if your primary hormones are out of balance, experiencing menopause symptoms can be the result.

For women, estimates are as high as 90% of women will suffer the aches, pains and emotional stresses of PMS. Other symptoms affect nearly half of women who report irritability, mood swings, cramps, hot flashes, breast tenderness, migraines or headaches, lack of energy, bloating and bad skin.

For men, there is a 50% chance of developing an enlarged prostate before the 60th birthday. And the loss of libido and sexual desire that is experienced by many men in their forties and beyond can have a serious effect on personal relationships.

There are menopause vitamins and herbal supplements that help support the body and its production of important and needed hormones. What are the hormones?

Estrogen and progesterone are two primary hormones for women while testosterone and progesterone are two important hormones for men. There are herbal supplements and menopause vitamins that can provide support for the production of estrogen and testosterone in women and testosterone in men.

Certain nutrients act as hormone precursors. In the human body, hormone precursors are needed for the body to produce hormones. Examples of nutrients that are hormone precursors include:

Black Cohosh – this herb is used for the treatment of hot flashes, heart palpitations, nervousness, irritability, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, vertigo, perspiration and depression, painful menstruation and premenstrual syndrome.

Dong Quai – is used for premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, irregularity and weakness during the menstrual period. It is also used to manage hypertension, rheumatism, ulcers, anemia and constipation, psoriasis and treatment of allergic attacks.

Isoflavones – soy isoflavones are found in soy-based food products and are thought to protect against hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. They can support the lowering of cholesterol and also suppress the production of stress proteins in cells, proteins that will help cancer cells survive destruction by the immune system. They are of help in autoimmune conditions, osteoporosis, vaginitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men.

Red Clover – red clover is used for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, cyclic breast pain or tenderness as well as indigestion, cough, asthma and bronchitis.

There are also other menopause vitamins and herbs that are used to support the health of both adult women and men:

Damiana – this plant is thought to have aphrodisiac properties. In addition, it can be helpful for headaches, depression and supporting and maintaining mental and physical capacity. The parts of damiana that are used are the leaf and stem.

Epimedium – this plant is also called horny goat weed. Epimedium is used for impotence, involuntary ejaculation in men, mental and physical fatigue, hypertension and as a general tonic and aphrodisiac. There are studies that suggest epimedium promotes the secretion of semen and stimulates the growth of prostate, testes and anus rector muscles. Some researchers believe epimedium may increase the secretion of testosterone.

Tribulus Terrestris – tribulus terrestris is believed to function as an aphrodisiac. There are studies that suggest that tribulus terrestris is beneficial in increasing testosterone levels, luteinizing hormone levels (LH) and levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Besides the herbs named above, high-quality menopause vitamins should include other beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants, amino acids, neuronutrients, bioflavonoids, carotonoids, herbal extracts and enzymes. And yes, there are menopause vitamins available online that do include the above herbs and nutrients in a high-quality formulation. Learn as much as you can about the herbs, menopause vitamins, menopause symptoms and natural approaches for supporting your health.

Copyright 2007 InfoSearch Publishing

David Lee Buster
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/menopause-vitamins-are-there-really-vitamins-for-menopause-114713.html