Archive for March 2008
Magnesium - Helps with Allergies, Blood Pressure, and Depression
Posted on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 10:32 AM by T.Smith, M.S. the site author">T.Smith, M.S.
Magnesium assists with improving bone strength, cardiovascular health, and supporting us through depression. It also plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar, and is natures muscle relaxer.
Magnesium is an important factor in over 300 chemical activities that
occur in our body on a regular basis. It is vital to create energy for
our cells. The highest concentrations of magnesium is in the heart,
brain, liver, and kidney. That should tell us something.
Magnesium levels are low in diabetics. When type-2 diabetics are given magnesium it helps decrease the platelet aggregation. It has shown to assist protecting us against coronary artery blockage and heart attacks. Magnesium has assisted in regulated regular heartbeats and other arrhythmias.
Magnesium defiency may play a major role in allergies. Several studies have shown histamine levels in people/animals with magnesium defiency. Asthmatics have found benefit from magnesium supplementation. Magnesium given in an IV have stopped asthma attacks and reduced bronchial hyper-reactivity.
Magnesium has shown to improve vasodialation which contributes to reducing blood pressure.
Medications and very narrow diets can deplete calcium. Magnesium choride is the best for hypertension, arrhythmias, stress, panic attacks and cramps.
The RDA for magnesium is 280-350 mg and recommended amounts range from 300-450 mg. Toxicity is rare in high dosages because the intestine automatically decreases absorption with higher intakes of magnesium, and the kidneys excrete excess amounts at a rapid pace.
Some Natural Sources
Whole grains, nuts, legumes, dark leafy vegetables, shellfish, figs, lemons, grapefruit, yellow corn, almonds, seeds, apples, lentils, split peas, tofu, black-eyed peas, lima beans, peanuts, cashews, wild rice, wheat germ, bean sprouts, spinach, milk, cheddar cheese, American cheese, chicken, beef, and pork
Posted in Depression , Heart-Cardio , Nutrition
Probiotics improve health and reduce symptoms
Posted on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 12:03 PM by T.Smith, M.S. the site author">T.Smith, M.S.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that improve the balance of intestinal microflora.
Bifidobaterium and lactobacillus are most often added to foods and used in dietary supplements. Probiotics are partially effective due to their ability to make it through the acidity of the stomach and the alkalinity of small intestine. One way that probiotic strains assist with good health is to take the space of the harmful bacteria; causing it to be eliminated.
The probiotic strain L.Casei increases the levels of ciculating immunoglobulin in infants infected with rota-virus. This helps to enhance the immune system in these infants. The probiotic rhamnosus has also shown to assist in the same manner as L.Casei.
These probiotic organisms also produce acetic and lactic acids that may make the enviroment an unhappy place for the harmful bacteria and organisms. There has also been data showing that probiotics has inhibited the growth of tumors, and prevent and eliminate the development of some carcinogens.
| Probiotic Strain |
Symptoms that are improved
|
| Acidophilus | Symptoms of lactose intolerance, reduced small-bowel bacterial overgrowth. |
| Rhamnosus | Improve immune system, infectious diarrhea in children, prevent atopic dermatitis |
| Casei | Improve immune system, bladder cancer recurrence, intestinal microbiota |
| Fermentum | Improve immune system for training athletes |
| Plantarum | Irritable Bowel (IBS), post surgical guy nutrition |
| Infantis | IBS |
| Longum | Allergy symptoms, intestinal micro-ecology |
| Lactis | Improve immune system in elderly, diarrhoea in children |
| Animalis | Balances intestinal transit time |
| Acidophilus, Bifidum Combination | Reduction of C. Difficile toxin in feces |
| Helveticus, Rhamnosus Combo | H.Pylori elimination, diearrhea in children |
You can also look at what the Wikipedia has.
Posted in Digestion , Immune System , Nutrition
Calcium and Vitamin K Connection
Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 at 9:52 AM by T.Smith, M.S. the site author">T.Smith, M.S.
Your Calcium May Not Be Low, Just Misplaced.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin found in plants. An X-ray oftens
shows a patient that is showing Osteoporosis (calcium loss) and at same
time show atherosclerosis, bone spurs, etc (calcium buildup). Vitamin K
is a primary vechile in the bone mineralization of calcium. This
improves calcium getting to the right places. Many times people will
have a blood test, and check calcium, it shows 'average or fine' on
blood results. But the patient is rapidly going through osteopenia
(onset of osteoporosis).
Evidence supports the hypotheses that Calcium loss in the elderly is associated with Vitamin K defiency.
There is no known toxicity associated with Vitamin K1; the natural form from plants. Many drug companies are marketing drugs to women with osteopenia, these studied were founded and fund by the drug companies. The drug companies are stating excellent results, yet the actual reduction in fractures is very low.
One drug, Raloxifene increases the risks of blood clots. Univerisity of British Columbia showed increase in bone necrosis (strangling the blood flow to bone). A calcium-magnesium 1/1 ratio is a good choice, but you may have to buildup to it.
Posted in Nutrition