Vitamin Information Center

SATURATED FATS
Saturated fats are found in animal products such as meat, poultry, milk, cheese, but-
ter, and lard, as well as in tropical oils (such as palm, palm kernel, and coconut oil)
and foods made from these oils. These fats are high in cholesterol and linked to heart
disease, high cholesterol, obesity, and cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate.
Most people get 38 percent or more of the day’s calories from fat while health
authorities suggest no more than 20–35 percent of which less than 10 percent comes
from saturated fat. To cut your intake of saturated fat, trim fat and skin from meat,
choose lean poultry over red meat, and low-fat cheese and dairy (cottage cheese, feta,
and hard cheeses have less fat). Butter is fi ne in moderation (see sidebar)

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.

Any food that contains high levels of antioxidants is always a good thing, but that does not mean that the antioxidants are the very property that makes the food a good tool for dieting. That is the most common misconception surrounding acai berry and all acai berry based products. As many people already know, this small, innocuous-looking, dark purple berry has been praised by the western world as the super food to top all super foods. It seems that the acai berry has 12 times the antioxidants as compared to the blueberry. Antioxidants help preserve the cells of the body by encouraging faster cell renewal. This helps keep the skin clear and young looking. This also contributes to the overall feeling on youth and stamina. However, antioxidants do not directly help in shedding off those unwanted pounds.

So why is the acai berry (and all other products based on the fruit) being hailed as the best tool for dieting? The answer lies in its two lesser known properties. To be more precise, acai berry contains high levels of fiber and omega fatty acids.

High levels of fiber in itself can be used as a tool for dieting since it flushes out the toxins and most other unwanted materials from the body. Fiber is especially helpful in binding to the fat deposits in some food. In which case, the fats gets expelled out of the body with the fiber. This lessens the incidence of the body actually absorbing such fats.

On the other hand, omega fatty acids almost have the same toxin flushing property. These essential acids help increase blood flow by keeping the bad cholesterol and glycerine at a comfortable level. If a person has high levels of bad cholesterol and glycerine in his or her bloodstream, chances are the vessels of the carotid arteries will constrict. So much so that the constriction will make the blood move in a more sluggish manner. This will make digestion (among all bodily functions) slow down as well. If digestion is slowed down, then the process of eliminating waste from the body is likewise stalled. So high levels of omega fatty acids ensure that the body keeps bad cholesterol at bay; in turn, this speed up the digestive process considerably, making waste expelling relatively faster and easier.

Fiber is also known to be a natural appetite suppressant. Fiber rich foods tend to keep the body satiated from hunger for longer periods of time. It allows the stomach to feel like it is always “full” even when there are less calories being taken in by the person. This tends to curb most unwanted tendencies to binge or eat beyond the scope of the recommended diet.

Likewise, omega fatty acids lower down the glycerine or blood sugar level in the lymphatic system. If a person has very high levels of blood sugar, the body feels the need to eat and eat some more. The bad news to this scenario is that once a person eats, the blood sugar increases as well, making the person’s need to eat more food even more urgent. This cycle does not stop, even several hours after digestion. By helping control the levels of glycerine in the system, omega fatty acids also help curb the appetite, making the person less prone to seek calorie rich foods particularly carbohydrate-based sweets.

Acai berries are a special gift - a unique fruit loaded full of anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other substances shown to help aid weight loss and enforce nutrition. This is helpful to maintain heath and also offers benefits in losing weight. The acai berries have a number of other benefits which have been shown. Acai berries can be taken in various forms, including fresh, powdered, capsule, and freeze dried, and retains its medicinal properties no matter how it is prepared or preserved. Although the freeze dried form of the berry has been shown to be the most potent, the acai berry is just as effective in its various other forms as well. If you’re just starting to take them, however, simply start with whichever form feels right to you.

There are so many benefits of acai berry that can better your health, but perhaps one of the most well known is the ability of the acai berry to reduce your cholesterol level. With more and more people suffering from high cholesterol, many individuals have jumped on the acai berry band wagon after seeing how it can dramatically bring your levels down when taken on a regular basis. For individuals who prefer natural alternatives, the acai berry may be a viable way to lower cholesterol.

Another of the acai berry benefits is being highly useful as a potential digestive aid, clearing toxins from the body and reducing inflammation throughout the body. Acai berry purifies your body, especially of xenobiotics. Xenobiotics are negative, foreign substances that can have a deteriorating effect on the body. There are bad substances in your body called xenobiotics, which lead to decreased brain function. Another valuable acai berry benefit may prove to be its ability to improve eyesight due to the berry’s naturally concentrated vitamin and mineral composition.

Those who suffer from arthritis pain have found that daily consumption of the acai berry can relieve the pain associated with this condition, and it has also shown promise in helping injuries heal faster. Sufferers who have taken acai berry everyday have reported less pain from their arthritis. Acai berries also shows promise in healing injuries faster, although there is not yet conclusive evidence of that.

Acai berry benefits are not only limited to your physical body, but can also help you both mentally and emotionally. The acai berry has been shown to aid in relieving depression, and can help regulate the body’s nervous system and to keep hormones in balance.

Weight loss may be the main reason most people first start using this supplement for the acai berry benefits. The acai berry is a natural colon cleanse, helping to get rid of excess water and toxins and thus allowing you to shed off pounds quickly and easily. Other acai berry benefits include its ability to act as an appetite suppressant, and to speed up the metabolism.By ramping up the metabolism, any calories you do consume is burned much more quickly and efficiently.

Acai berry benefits are many and highly effective. It is little wonder that the acai berry is quickly becoming known as a miracle supplement. When acai berries are consumed on a regular basis, many physical, mental, and emotional benefits can be gained.

WOULDN’T it be wonderful if there were a range of magic pills we could take once a day to protect us from all manner of diseases?

One to ward off cancer, another to keep our cholesterol in check, and yet more to keep us mentally astute, with slim, well-toned bodies and glowing complexions.

We could drink beer, smoke tabs and eat burger and chips to our heart’s content and never have to worry because all the nasty side-effects would be cancelled out by a cocktail of dietary supplements.

You’d be forgiven for thinking many people already believe this to be possible, though admittedly to a lesser extent. But there’s surely no denying that millions of us are under the illusion that popping a few pills can cure a variety of ills.

I’m not talking about genuine, tried-and-tested medicines here . . . I’m referring to vitamin supplements.

An estimated 10m people in the UK regularly take vitamins, shoring up a whopping £350m-a- year industry. Goodness knows what the industry is worth worldwide. But if a new report is to be believed, they’re wasting their money.

In what is claimed to be the most in-depth study ever undertaken into the effects of supplements, a team of Danish scientists concluded that there’s no evidence that they are of any benefit to health.

Worse still, they say some — including Beta- carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E — actually endanger life and could “significantly increase mortality”.

Whenever I read stories like this I feel like I’ve wandered onto the set of the old Woody Allen movie Sleeper.

Allen’s character, having been cryogenically frozen for hundreds of years, is brought back to life in the future where everyone smokes because scientists have discovered tobacco is the healthiest substance known to man.

Now we’re faced with a version of Allen’s movie in reverse . . . it seems everything we thought was good for us is bad for us. Either that or it makes no difference, in which case, it’s still bad for us financially. So how come so many of us have fallen for the hype? I suspect the answer is that people believe vitamins work because that’s what they want to believe . . .

And because the truth is as unpalatable to them as the fresh fruit and vegetables they have shunned in favour of supplements.

Unfortunately, however, there are no magic pills. And it’s high time we accepted that fact and stopped throwing money at an industry that has become adept at selling us an impossible dream.

A healthy diet and plenty of exercise is the only answer . . . that’s the hard-to-swallow truth scientists have been telling us for years.

If you are trying to lose weight, gain lean muscle, and improve your overall health, there are 6 rarely spoken of things through out the “Lose Weight” community you need that effectively and rapidly improve your health. Losing weight and embarking on a healthier lifestyle is a battle, inputing the following six weapons into your arsenal can help you win the battle outright!

The first is: Apple Cider Vinegar: Lower cholesterol, weight loss, increase metabolic rate are just some of the benefits of this great supplement, and to top it all off, it’s natural! You can take ACV up to three times daily. It’s best to take it before each meal as it will help in curbing your appetite thus reducing the amount of portions you would usually get with your meals. The recommended amount to take is 1-3 tablespoons (3 is recommended), mixed with a glass of water and a little honey to lower the acid taste. Make sure to consult a physician before taking this or any other supplement.

Second: Fish Oil or (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) Fish oil have two main fatty acids: DHA (docosahexanoic acid) / EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Make sure the supplements you purchase contain an adequate amount of these two fatty acids. They are also found in fish such as salmon. Fish oil is important to take on daily basis as it helps with mental health, helps in prevention of colon, prostate & breast cancer, also, heart health, and overall health. Make sure to consult a physician before taking this or any other supplement.

Third: Multi-Vitamin Just about everyone has heard of Multi-Vitamins. But, most don’t realize how important taking this supplement actually is. Due to busy lifestyles, and/or poor eating habits, most of us are lacking in important vitamin and mineral intake that our body need for optimum functionality. Choosing multi-vitamin brands can be a little tough. I recommend to search around and do good research on the different types of vitamins on the market today. Also, try to get multi-vitamins that are more tailored to you, i.e. (active lifestyle, for men, for women, for seniors, etc.). Make sure to consult a physician before taking this or any other supplement.

Fourth: Ice Cold Water I know, I know, who else doesn’t know that you need to drink plenty of water daily if you want to stay/get in great health! But, did you know that drinking ICE COLD water is really what does the trick with helping you lose weight? When you drink ice cold water your body begins to burn fat so that it can warm the water you’ve just drunk to body temperature. This is also known as the thermogenic effect. You won’t burn a large amount of calories, but drinking large amounts is still incredibly important for your health.

Fifth: Olive Oil Olive oil consist of unrefined monounsaturated fats, which is healthy for your body. Olive oil can also increase fat burning, healthy HDL cholesterol levels and more! Replace all of your usual cooking oils with olive oil. You can also use it as a base for salad dressing. Refer to healthy salad dressing recipes for more information on how to make this healthy alternative dressing to the usual high calorie and carb dressings on the market today. Before you take any type of supplement, even Multi-Vitamins, it’s important to consult with your physician first.

Sixth: Green Tea Green tea is highly recommended daily. Powerful antioxidants that helps cleanse your body, plus lowering cholesterol levels, weight loss, speeding up your metabolism, helping in treatment is skin disorders and so much more! In conclusion, as with any program, supplements, etc., nothing is going to work correctly without maintaining a consistent routine of exercising.

It’s often said that good health is the foundation of beauty. I’m willing to take that statement a step farther and claim that a balanced diet is the foundation of good health - and, therefore, beauty. For proof, just read the numerous medical studies that link healthy eating with disease prevention and disease reversal. These same studies connect high fat intake, high sodium consumption, and diets with too much protein to numerous illnesses, including obesity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diverticular diseases, hypertension, and kidney disease. And of course, there are all the looks-stealing side effects of a poor diet, such as thinning hair, scaly skin, breakouts, pale complexion, nail disorders, and excess weight. A nutrient-weak diet can also exacerbate existing skin conditions such as psoriasis and rosacea.

There are all kinds of health reasons to curb your salt intake to the recommended limit of 500 mg per day. For those prone to breakouts, iodine - a mineral found in iodized salt and seafood is believed by many professionals to contribute to acne flare-ups.

But what exactly is a balanced diet? Generally speaking, it is a diet comprising carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, protein, water, 13 vitamins, and 20 minerals. More specifically, it is a diet built around a wide variety of fruits, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. Animal protein, high-fat foods, high-sodium foods, highly sugared foods, sodas, and processed foods are consumed sparingly, if at all. Of course, there are several ways to get your daily allotment of nutrients. Here are several of the most common diets.

All about omnivores

How healthy is an omnivorous diet? It depends. Omnivores may eat cheese, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, or seafood every day, choose refined snacks, and get only one daily serving of fruits and vegetables. This is not the healthiest option for those on an omnivorous diet.

On the other hand, those omnivores who limit animal-based foods to two or three times a week, choose water over soft drinks, and get the recommended five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables have a much healthier diet. The usual complaints about traditional omnivorous diets revolve around the diet’s high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat (found in animal-based foods), which can increase the risk of cancer diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. However, an omnivorous diet can actually be a healthy one, provided that thoughtful choices are made. To keep cholesterol and saturated fat to a minimum and nutrients to a maximum, omnivores should aim to eat five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains over refined grains, enjoy daily legume or soy food protein sources, and limit their consumption of animal-based foods.

With the growing awareness of the importance of healthy food, many people are also becoming vegetarian because it matches the kind of low fat, high fiber diet recommended by dieticians and doctors. Concern about the environment is another factor as people become more aware of the effect raising animals for their meat is having on the environment. Or you may be concerned about wasting world food resources by using land to raise animals for meat instead of growing crops that can feed more people directly.

Animals need far more water than grain crops. According to the USDA, growing the crops necessary to feed farmed animals requires nearly half of the United States’ water supply and 80% of its agricultural land. Additionally, animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 90% of the soya crop, 80% of the corn crop, and a total of 70% of its grain.

One acre of pasture produces an average of 165 pounds of beef; the same acre can produce 20,000 pounds of potatoes.

Vegetarian diets have been found to satisfy the nutritional needs for all stages of life, and large-scale studies have shown vegetarianism to increase longevity, improve health, and significantly lower the risks of many diseases.

Studies show that vegetarian diets help to keep body weight under control and reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoperosis and many cancers - particularly lung cancer and colon cancer. Vegetarians tend to have lower levels of cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and less incidence of dementias such as Alzheimer’s. Vegetarian diets that are low in saturated fats have been successfully used to reverse severe coronary artery disease.

It was once widely believed that vegetarians had to carefully combine plant protein sources in each meal in order to obtain all the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids needed to stay healthy. However, scientific studies have shown that the human body can store essential amino acids and combine them as necessary. So, while combining beans and rice, or peanut butter and bread produces a complete protein, it’s not necessary to consciously do this at every meal. If you eat a varied diet and adequate calories, combining proteins is not an issue.

Vegetarian diets are lower in saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal protein. They’re also high in folate, anti-oxidant vitamins like C and E, carotenoids, and phytochemicals.

Some famous vegetarians are Leonardo Da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Socrates, Plato, Sir Isaac Newton and Thomas Edison. Famous modern day vegetarians include Bryan Adams, Alicia Silverstone, Liv Tyler, Jerry Seinfeld, Kim Basinger, and Paul McCartney.

If you are new to vegetarianism, The Higher Taste by Srila Prabhupada is a great beginners booklet. Not only does it explain vegetarianism clearly but it also gives some delicious easy to follow recipes.

There are many vegetarian websites today that provide many delicious recipes. There are a large variety of vegetarian recipes available from Italian and Greek cuisine to Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese cuisine.

Let’s face it, we need fat in our diet - but there are the good, the not so bad and the evil kinds of fat you should know.
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Amazed by the healing power of Aloe Vera?

I am definately amazed! Aloe Vera magic seems to hold not only me but many persons including doctors and scientists in awe. Some believe it to be a miracle plant. It has even been described as a medicinal plant used for thousands of years. Continue Reading…