Vitamin Information Center

For thousands of years the benefits of the acai berry where hidden to the world outside of the Amazon rainforest. The Acai grows wild in the Amazon where the locals have being using for centuries. They have thought the Acai berry cured their most feared diseases and used to help improve their health.

The Acai berry is high in protein and dietary fiber and includes a large amount of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. The omega acids help protect the heart and the cardiovascular system. The Acai berry also is believed to help lower cholesterol. It has lately been going around that the acai berry is the new anti-aging super food and has even made an appearance on Opera. The acai berry has a high level of antioxidant vitamins from the fruit and a high level of anthocranins. The acai berry contains ten times more anthocranins than grapes and twice the amount of blueberries.

The anthocranins are the same ingredient that makes a glass of red wine a day helpful. Of course the benefit of the berry is that it contains other helpful ingredients and does not have the negative affects of alcohol. These anthocranins help boost the anti-aging affects of the berry.

So one might ask why as the acai berry been a mystery up to know, one of the major reasons is that its helpfulness lessens quickly after harvest. The key to preserving the acai berries helpful nature is to immediately freeze the fruit after harvest and then transport it for use. This is key to look for when purchase a product that includes the acai berry. Once the acai berry is made into a concentrated drink it is able to hold up because of the other items in the drink. Many stores now are starting to sell the acai berry in their raw form. Both methods can be used affectively.

Also the acai berry is helpful on the digestive track that helps your body loss weight. When your body is able digest correctly it breaks down food more affectively giving you more energy and allowing yourself to process food more affective. The acai berry will help you in many ways. While it is not a cure all that many wish it to be it is a safe and helpful additive to your diet.

To achieve a toned and well-sculpted body through muscle building, proper exercises with the right equipments, an obliging diet as well as a good muscle building supplement are essential. Muscle building requires specific workouts especially for the major muscle groups such as the abdominis, the quadriceps, the deltoids, the pectorals and the biceps. These parts of the body can be fashioned to be toned and well-sculpted as the muscles are elastic. Weight lifting is ideal for building muscle mass as well as other exercises such as swimming, running and brisk walking. When building the muscles, body fat is initially eliminated therefore there may be a need to reduce calorie intake.

Through the course of the muscle building regimen, it is necessary to add nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins in the diet. Carbohydrates is essential for energy maintenance during workouts. Proteins, on the other hand is the most required nutrient for developing the muscles. Rich sources of protein are chicken, beef, pork, fish, eggs, dairy foods as well as nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Aside from sufficient nutrients, a muscle building supplement should also be included in the regimen to augment vitamin and mineral intake. During the past decades, one of the most widely researched muscle building supplement is bee pollen.

It has been conclusively found in studies that bee pollen as a muscle building supplement contains twice as much iron as any other food. On a per calorie basis, bee pollen has been found to have more beneficial effects than fruits and vegetables alone. Bee pollen as a muscle building supplement promotes the effective flow of oxygen throughout the body. With protein being the most essential nutrient in muscle building, the bee pollen muscle building supplement contains twice the amount of muscle building protein found in beef. A remarkable amount of antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamins A, C and E are also contained in the bee pollen muscle building supplement.

In fact, bee pollen has been found to include the maximum amounts of Vitamin A than every known food except tomatoes. The bee pollen muscle building supplement also hold three essential forms of Vitamin B including thiamin and niacin. Studies carried out in 1992 showed results of bee pollen being an excellent source of calcium. A high level of dietary calcium is necessary for the development of strong and sturdy bones. As skeletal muscles need to be stimulated for successful muscle building, it goes without saying that the bee pollen muscle building supplement is beneficial for this endeavor. It is by far too broad and expanse to discuss the particular ingredients of bee pollen in augmenting the development of muscle mass.

It is interesting to note, however, that the bee pollen muscle building supplement contains the highest level of folic acid than any of today’s common foods. Folic acid has an indispensable function in cell generation and prostate gland support. In increasing stamina and energy levels in athletic performances, the bee pollen muscle building supplement also performs a vital role. Muscle building supplements are taken to boost muscle size, increase the rate of fat loss, improve joint health and to prevent potential nutrient deficiencies. Scientific consensus supports the effectiveness of only a small number of commercially available muscle building supplements when the consumer is healthy and physically active.

When resorting to the bee pollen muscle building supplement a barrage of other supplements need not be taken as it is complete in itself.

Bausch & Lomb, the eye health company dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life, has unveiled a groundbreaking range of vitamin and mineral supplements developed to help preserve eye health.

PreserVision Soft Gels by Bausch & Lomb are high potency antioxidant supplements developed from the only formulation tested in a 10-year eye health study. Conducted by the US National Eye Institute, the study monitored health in over 4,000 50-80 year-old participants, and found that the supplements could be effective in preserving eye health in those susceptible to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD is a disease of the macular – the central part of the eye which allows a person to see fine detail, and gradually destroys the sharp, central vision which is needed to see objects clearly. The most prevalent cause of vision loss in the western world, AMD is thought to affect over three million people in the UK alone – more than five per cent of the population.

Recommended by leading ophthalmologists in the UK, PreserVision Soft Gels provide antioxidant vitamins and minerals at levels not normally achievable through diet alone.

Andrew Lotery, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Southampton, said: “Oral treatment of AMD through supplementation is a proven and cost effective method of reducing progression of the disease.

“However, not all vitamin supplements are the same. Low doses of minerals such as vitamins C and E, zinc and beta-carotene have a negligible effect when compared to the high dose AREDS formulation. Vitamin therapy should be seen as a high priority when assessing patients in the early stages of AMD.”

The two-a-day PreserVision Soft Gels are available in two easy-to-swallow formulations – Original and Lutein. PreserVision Original provides high levels of the antioxidants beta-carotene3, vitamins C and E and zinc.

PreserVision Lutein is an advanced formulation containing the same combination of vitamins C, E and zinc, but with lutein as a replacement for beta-carotene. Lutein, which occurs naturally in the retina, is believed to function both as an antioxidant and a filter of harmful blue light. PreserVision Lutein can be recommended to all users, including smokers.

The PreserVision Soft Gels range complements the established PreserVision Tablets supplement, which contains the same quantity of the antioxidants vitamins and minerals as the Original Soft Gels formulation, but in a four-a-day tablet form.

For further information about Bausch & Lomb’s PreserVision, log on to Preservision.co.uk.

PreserVision Original and Lutein Soft Gels and PreserVision tablets are available over the counter at most Boots stores, and pharmacies, priced at £14.95 (RRP) for 60 Soft Gels.

The old saying still holds true: You are what you eat. Some of us believe we can afford to disregard this dictum, as long as we have a plastic surgeon, a salon and a day spa on speed dial.

We want to be thinner - we get liposuction. Our hair is thinning - off to the salon for extensions. Our nails become brittle - acrylic nails are a phone call away.

What most of us fail to recognize is that these changes (skin, hair and nails) are our body’s way of screaming for help. What keeps you clean and healthy on the inside will keep you looking good on the outside.

If you want clean and clear skin, drink more water. Your kidneys remove waste products that must be dissolved by water. By drinking around eight glasses of water a day (this is an average; everybody has different requirements), you are flushing out the toxins that would normally escape through the pores of your skin. This prevents pimples and blemishes, and helps keep the skin moisture level even.

* The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E fight free radical damage caused by aging and the environment. The beta-carotene in bright orange and red vegetables converts into vitamin A, helping to produce new skin cells and shed old ones, which leads to fresh skin. Vitamin A is also good for preventing dry skin and dry hair. Food sources of vitamin A are carrots, dark leafy greens and sweet potatoes. Recommendations: 900 mcg/day for men and 700 mcg/day for females.

* Citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries and red peppers house vitamin C. Vitamin C is a collagen healer, helping the body build new tissue. The healthier the collagens in your body, the firmer and smoother your skin will look. If you bruise easily, double-check your vitamin C intake. Recommendations: 75 mg/day for men and 60 mg/ day for females.

* Vitamin E is found in almonds, avocados and sunflower seeds. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and helps repair connective tissue. Fifteen mg/day is recommended for males and females alike.

* Omega-3 fatty acids, found in wild salmon, mackerel, walnuts and flaxseed, is great for the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation (which can damage the collagen in the skin, causing wrinkles), preventing dryness in the skin and hair. It also adds moisture, leading to healthier looking skin and strong nails by preventing cracking.

For healthy adults with no history of heart disease, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids at least two times per week. It also recommends consuming plant- derived sources such as tofu or soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed oil and canola oil.

* It’s no secret that calcium builds strong bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. As you age, calcium helps maintain tooth enamel so teeth remain strong. A diet lacking in calcium also contributes to dry, brittle fingernails. The good bacteria in yogurt is beneficial not only to the digestive tract but to your skin as well. Choose low-fat dairy products such as skim milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheese. Recommendation for both males and females is 1000 to 1200 mg/day.

* Iron is the most commonly deficient mineral in humans and is essential for the formation of red blood cells and delivering oxygen to the cells. Brittle fingernails are often a sign of iron deficiency. Iron comes from both animal (heme) and plant (non-heme) sources, but is better absorbed from heme iron food sources. Iron is found abundantly in lean red meats and fortified cereals. Recommendation for males and females (non-pregnant) is 10 mg/day.

* Zinc is another mineral that can combat hair loss and brittle nails, as well as those unattractive little white spots on nails. Zinc is needed for a multitude of functions, including tissue repair, wound healing, maintenance of night vision, taste acuity and hormone production. Zinc-rich foods are shellfish and lean red meats. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc. Recommendations are 8 mg/day for females and 11 mg/day for males.

* Protein is not a common deficiency in this country, given our large portion sizes. But it’s important to note that protein fortifies the hair and promotes growth.

Salmon Teriyaki

Serves: 4

1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger

3 cloves of garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)

3 scallions, finely chopped

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup mirin (sweet Japanese wine)

11/2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons honey

4 (6 to 8 ounce) wild salmon fillets

Place the ginger, garlic and scallions in a bowl, and whisk in the soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil and honey.

Marinate salmon for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator, turning once or twice. Grill on high heat for 3 to 6 minutes, turning gently, or preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes. This dish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutrition per serving 320 calories, 34 grams protein, 16 grams fat, 0 grams carbohydrates, 414 milligrams sodium, 108 milligrams cholesterol

Thousands of people pop vitamin pills every day in the hope of warding off that nasty bug, making themselves look better or even live longer.

But do these “magic” tablets really work?

The jury’s out but some studies suggest they could be a waste of money… and even do us harm.

And with Britons spending £300million a year on vitamin and mineral supplements, it’s a huge industry.

“The problem is that supplements are new, so there isn’t much research into their long-term effects,” says nutrition consultant Ian Marber.

However, there is some evidence of shortterm effects. Last year, Copenhagen University reviewed more than 815 clinical trials of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, betacarotene and the mineral selenium.

And produced some alarming results…

While vitamin C and selenium had no effect on lifespan, supplements of vitamins A, E and beta carotene actually seemed to raise the risk of premature death.

So what must you know?

Cancer danger

Worryingly, some studies have found links between supplements and cancer.

Researchers looking at whether supplements of beta carotene could reduce the risk of lung cancer gathered 18,000 American smokers in the 1990s.

Half were given beta carotene and vitamin A, while the others received a dummy pill.

“But researchers had to make the supplement group stop taking the vitamins two years early because there was a greater incidence of the disease in the group,” says dietitian Catherine Collins.

“A follow-up six years later found the risk continued even after people had stopped taking supplements.”

Last month, another study found that people who took vitamin E supplements - particularly smokers - may be at a 28 per cent increased risk of lung cancer.

But those results are not as clearcut as they first appear. Dr Ann Walker, adviser to the Health Supplements Information Service, says: “People on a lower dose of vitamin E had a lower risk of lung cancer and we don’t know whether those taking the higher doses were already ill.”

And she argues that there is evidence that a multivitamin may reduce cancer risk. “A study in 1997 found that people taking multivitamins were at lower risk of colon cancer,” she says.

But Henry Scowcroft, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, says that although some studies suggest supplements help, many suggest they don’t. Current advice remains that the best way to reduce your risk of getting cancer is by giving up smoking and following a healthy, balanced diet.

Heart help?

So, can supplements reduce the risk of heart disease? “We don’t recommend supplements,” says Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation.

“A 2005 review concluded that as high doses of vitamin E and beta carotene were linked with a higher risk of mortality, they shouldn’t be recommended.

“And the Women’s Health Study in 2005 found no benefits for the heart from taking vitamins A, C and E.

“Overall, there’s no evidence to support taking vitamins. Eating fruit and vegetables has heart benefits but it may be the plant nutrients and fibre that helps - we can’t assume it’s specific vitamins.”

General health

But what about overall well-being - should we take vitamins for immunity?

For most of us, no, says Catherine. “There’s no evidence the general population benefits.

“Our food today is of better quality and with more variety than ever before. There are arguments that poor soil quality from intensive farming means food doesn’t contain all the nutrients but there’s no evidence - if soil was that low quality, a plant wouldn’t grow.”

Pregnancy and childhood

There is solid proof, however, that certain people do benefit from some supplements.

If you’re trying to conceive or are in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the Department of Health recommends 400mcg of folic acid each day, to help prevent birth defects of the spine and brain.

But always take a supplement designed for pregnancy - a standard multivitamin can contain more nutrients than stated on the label, and high doses of vitamin A have been linked with birth defects.

“Young children can also benefit from a multivitamin, especially as we’re so cautious with the sun - we need sunlight to make vitamin D, essential for immunity and healthy bones, and low levels have been linked with conditions including multiple sclerosis,” says Catherine.

“Ensure they have a supplement designed for youngsters.”

SUPPLEMENT SAFETY

If you really want a supplement Catherine Collins suggests a multivitamin and mineral. “Nutrients work together and multivitamins contain them at a safe dose.”

However, don’t think you can survive on junk food topped up with huge doses of individual nutrients.

While excess water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and the B vitamins will just be excreted, the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, are stored in the body and can accumulate. And the longterm effect isn’t known.

And avoid extra supplements on top of your multivitamin. “If you have specific needs, like PMS, look for a formulation designed for your condition,” advises dietitian Nigel Denby.

And if you’re on medication, check with your GP.