Vitamin B Complex Supplements and Why You Need Them

B vitamins are very important nutrients that play vitals roles in the overall health of our bodies. There are eight water soluble B vitamins, in total. A nutritional supplement that contains all of them is what is usually referred to as a B complex vitamin. There are many benefits of b complex vitamins as well as unpleasant side effects if you do not get enough, which you will learn about in this article.

They are typically all present in the same foods, such as meat, meat products, bananas, potatoes and beans. The problem, however, is that most of us simply do not eat enough of these foods. So, without even knowing it, we can end up deficient in these important nutrients.

These vitamins are vitally important to several different aspects of our health. They are necessary to support and increase the rate of your metabolism. You cannot maintain healthy muscle and clear skin tone, without them. They also enhance your immune system and the function of your nervous system.

A deficiency in them can cause several severe health problems. A lack of vitamin B1, also known as Thiamine, can cause Beriberi. Sufferers of this may experience weight loss, emotional problems and pain or weakness in their legs and arms.

Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is imperative for pregnant women. It has been proven that a lack of it can cause several birth defects in the infant. This is why most prenatal vitamins contain high levels of this. A doctor has to make sure that the mother takes in enough for herself and the fetus.

As you can see, any deficiency in b vitamins can lead to serious health problems in the future. Even if you were not to immediately experience these same problems, the cumulative health effects of low vitamin b levels can have a subtle, yet dramatic effect on your energy levels and quality of life. Vitamin B complex supplements will ensure that you are getting the right balance of nutrients in your diet, so that you can be sure to have the best chance at being healthy and enjoying your life.

Improve Health With Fruit

Improving HealthIn our diet fruit is one of the most important sources of minerals and vitamins. Unfortunately, in the western diet this is often overlooked and we continue to consume vast quantities of protein and, especially, starchy foods. The result of this is an increasing incidences of diseases, such as diabetes, and obesity. Many people know that fruit and fruit juices can improve health after watching all those television adverts for the Jack Lalanne Power Juicer but do not know how fruit actually benefits health.

These benefits are:

1. It is a very easy food to prepare that simply requires washing and eating. There is no cooking involved and, therefore, can save on other chores like washing pots and pans.

2. Fruit tastes very good. This is important, especially for children, along with the fact that they are also brightly colored which makes them even more appetizing. Many people would actually consider fruit as a desert or treat.

3. Fruit needs less energy to digest and absorb in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of this, many people report feeling more energized and have a requirement for less sleep.

4. It is often very difficult to put on fat whilst on a fruit diet. The result of this is that the body’s fat level will often fall leaving a sensation of being lean and healthy.

5. Fruit has a high fiber content. Due to this high fiber content of fruit it can help with the smooth movement of food through the bowel and help in preventing conditions like constipation. With constipation some of this toxic waste remains sitting within the bowel some of which can get absorbed into the system. These toxins may lead to illness, disease and the sensation of feeling unwell. Eating a fruit diet can prevent this from occurring.

6. The are very little waste products left behind in the bowel after digesting fruit. This can lower the wear and tear on the various organs in the body and therefore reduce the rate of aging.

7. Your body will regularly cleanse and detoxify itself on a diet of mainly fruit. Over many years, the waste products from the digestion of starches, dairy products and proteins will slowly accumulate over a number years. Even consuming fruit for only a few days can help detoxify the body and get rid of these bad waste products. This can further lead to the sensation of well being and a reduction in the damage on the body.

Therefore, if you are wanting to become fit and healthy or are experiencing ill health then increasing the amount of fruit you consume is a good way to reach your goal.

Gluten Intolerance Bloating and Constipation

Easy Gluten Free Cooking Constipation is neither fun to experience nor fun to read about. But it is something that everyone suffers from time to time and in some cases it can be a symptom of a more serous over-arching condition. In this post we will address bloating and constipation as it can occur to sufferers of gluten intolerance.

Constipation and diarrhea can be symptoms of gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance, which can be Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), is an autoimmune disease where one’s body cannot tolerate gluten. If someone with gluten intolerance consumes gluten, their body’s antibodies attack and slowly kill the villi along their digestive tract’s wall. Villi are like tiny hairs that reach out and grab the nutrition from your food as it passes.

As this villi is slowly killed off, a celiac patient’s intestines becomes less and less capable of extracting and processing nutrition from the food they eat. Latter parts of the small intestine are not equipped to handle this less-digested food. So it either further exacerbates the matter by not processing it either, which leads to constipation, bloating, or it spasms, which can cause either cramps or diarrhea.

Celiac disease constipation affects more than just your comfort. When you are constipated, toxins stay in your system longer than they should, stressing your entire immune system. If you stay constipated for a long time, this bacteria-ridden fecal matter can back up all the way from your colon through your small intestine to the lower parts of your stomach, which, as you can imagine, may lead to even further illnesses.

This is one of the reasons why it is absolutely critical for individuals suffering from gluten intolerance to completely eliminate gluten from their diet. Someone suffering from gluten intolerance should not only cut gluten from their diet, but they should avoid products or ingredients that may have trace amounts of gluten in them. This will provide constipation and bloating relief.

Some of the Best Fat Burning Foods

fat burning foodsThese days it seems we’re all looking for the best fat burning foods to help us lose weight naturally. With everyone concerned about their weight and health, it’s becoming a common desire to eat foods that boost our metabolism. Fortunately, there are a number of foods out there that assist in speeding up the metabolism while keeping insulin levels low.

One of the best type of natural fat burning foods to eat when trying to lose weight is anything whole grain. Whole grain cereals and pastas are a great way to trick your body into burning those extra calories.

Another great food to assist in weight loss is salmon. Salmon has omega 3 fatty acids and lowers a hormone in our body called leptin. Lowering leptin levels can produce higher calorie burn.

Also on the list is regular unflavored oatmeal which is great for our bodies because it flushes out digestive acids and reduces blood pressure. Not only is it beneficial to our blood pressure and stomach but it also prevents heart disease and colon cancer.

Fat Burning FoodVitamin C foods are also a great option. Fruits like grapefruit, guava, lemons and oranges are not only delicious but have health benefits to them as well. Vitamin C benefits us by diluting the fat in our bodies and helping to release fat from the body faster.

Besides food, the drink green tea is also great for burning fat. Green tea has EGCG in it which causes the body and brain to run faster and smoother which in turn helps burn more calories.

Lastly, calcium and dairy based products like yogurt, milk and cheese can also be considered foods that burn fat. Dairy products act as fat burners in our bodies and increase fat breakdown in our bodies fat cells.

The foods mentioned above suppress your appetite and keep your body running efficiently by producing clean and healthy fuel for your body. They are rich in nutrients and vitamins and give your metabolism that extra kick which helps take off that unwanted fat.

Acai Berry Juice Benefits and Nutritional Profile

acaiAcai grows in the Amazon of Central and South America so it is unlikely that you will have access to the fresh fruit for juicing unless you live there. Acai spoils quickly and doesn’t make it to the US fresh so is available dried or pre-bottled juice. So as you can see, I won’t be able to deliver an acai berry juice recipe, but will share its health benefits!

Acai juice benefits have been hyped up recently for having higher antioxidants and nutrition than other berries like blueberries, raspberry, red grapes and blackberry. The good news is, its not just hype, its science. Studies have shown that the overall antioxidant power of acai is higher than any other fruit or vegetable. Part of this antioxidant power is due to the dense concentrations of the phytochemical anthocyanin. Acai is clearly nutritious!

So what is in acai berry juice?

Vitamins and minerals:
Acai berry juice is an good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and E. It is an excellent source of pro-vitamin A and also vitamin C, depending on the product you are buying. Dried acai can often contain very little vitamin C, depending on how it is dried. Freeze dried acai that has been treated with low heat is the best quality for powders. High quality 100% organic acai juice pulp, will usually contain a good amount of vitamin C, provided it is bottled within 24 hours of harvesting the acai berry.

Potassium is the mineral found with most abundance in acai followed by calcium. Other minerals include magnesium, zinc, iron and copper. The copper content is unusually high for a fruit.

Amino Acids:
Acai contains a variety of amino acids including Isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid.

Omega Fats:
Acai berry juice contains a surprising amount of fat for a fruit. Close to half the fruit’s content is fat, and mostly unsaturated. Healthy omega 3, 6 and 9 are present.

Anthocyanins:
A research study conducted in a Korean University in 2009 provided evidence that anthocyanins had inhibitory properties for the development of colon cancer. Other studies show anthocyanins to have antioxidant properties to protect cells from free radical damage. Furthermore, anthoyanins may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Fortunately acai berry juice is the fruit with the highest levels of anthocyanins by a long shot.

Acai and weight loss:
Personally I have not seen sufficient evidence that acai alone can help in weight loss. There are plenty of acai supplements on the net claiming acai can help you lose weight, but most seems sketchy at best. David Grotto, RD, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life says “Acai is a nutrient-rich source of antioxidants, much like many other fruits, but there is nothing magical about the fruit to cause weight loss”. With weight loss being on so many people minds, it is no wonder people are trying to cash in on acai’s possible – but not entirely convincing- weight loss benefits.

One final note:
Be careful when looking for acai products. For instance, most of the acai berry juice on the market today contains a very low percentage of actual acai berry juice. I would recommend doing a little research before buying acai products to ensure you are getting the highest quality and quantity of this nutritious berry.

In Health
Darren and Veronica