February 2010 — Page 121

February 18, 2010 by admin

Vitamins are a group of substances that play an important role in normal cell function, growth and development. Natural Vitamin is mostly available in a number of different ways, but mostly in health foods.

However, most of the vitamins available from our local pharmacies are synthetic vitamins. They are made from chemical processes as opposed to being derived from their natural material. A natural vitamin is sometimes defined as a concentrated nutrient derived from a quality natural source that retains a bigger part of it. It serves as an alternative to most synthetic healthy remedies due to its purity. Generally, there are 13 essential vitamins which are needed for the body to function. These are:

Vitamin A – The formation and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth, soft tissue, mucous membrane and the skin is the main function of this vitamin. Eggs meat and milk are the most common sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin C – Commonly known as ascorbic acid, this is an oxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums and helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It is mostly found in citrus fruits.

Vitamin D – This vitamin is popularly known as sunshine Vitamin and has a role of ensuring Vitamin C is properly absorbed by the body. It also has a role of maintaining the levels of calcium and phosphorous in the blood.

Vitamin E – Its also known as tocopheral and it helps in the formation of red blood cells.

Vitamin K – Wonder what cabbage and cauliflower contain? Well, it is this vital vitamin that helps in the coagulation of blood in the body.

Vitamin BI (thiamine) – It assists the body in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy. It also plays an important role in heart functioning and keeping the nerves healthy.

Vitamin B2 – You may know this vitamin as riboflavin and facilitates the growth and synthesis of red blood cells. To achieve this, there need to be enough Vitamin B in your body.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) – The role of niacin or rather Vitamin B3 as popularly known plays an important role of facilitating the production and harmonization of hormones and cholesterol in the body.

Pantothenic acid – This vitamin assists in the production of hormones and cholesterol and is also very essential for body metabolism.

Biotin – It helps in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates and is essential in the production of hormones and cholesterol.

Vitamin 6 – It assists the body to use protein.

Vitamin B12 – This vitamin is also essential in food digestion.

Folate (folic acid) – Folate Vitamin works in conjunction with Vitamin B12 to aid in the formation of red blood cells. It is involved in the production of DNA which controls the growth and functionality of cell tissues.

Keith Woolley, a health consultant with many years of experience in healthcare, would like to share the knowledge about vitamin supplements which are very useful for our health. For more information log on to the website http://www.EthicalVitamins.co.uk

Alternative Medicine Runs To Your Rescue

February 18, 2010 by admin

For more and more people for whom traditional medicine has not produced the desired results or for those who consciously select to follow complementary and alternative medicine practices in comparison to traditional health ones, alternative remedies have come to the rescue. In fact, according to multiple studies, an outstanding one in three of all adults in the US (34%) has used some kind of complementary / alternative therapy in the past year.

For the other two individuals who have not decided yet to try any therapy that belongs to this type of health practice, or are not sure if they have done so in the past, it is important to understanding what complementary and alternative therapy is and why people select to use it.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), complementary and alternative medicine is defined as “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” But although these types of alternative practices are not taught in medical schools or implemented by certified physicians, the highest use of complementary and alternative medicine was reported by people between 25 and 49 years of age who had relatively more education and higher incomes.

Even more overwhelming is the fact that the vast majority (83%) of those who have used one or more unconventional therapy methods for serious medical conditions also sought treatment for the same health problems from a medical doctor although 72 percent of the survey respondents did not inform their medical doctors that they had done so. Why are people afraid to admit the obvious? Is in fact complementary and alternative medicine a “sin?”

The underlying philosophy of these approaches greatly differs from conventional medicine. In general, complementary and alternative therapies are based on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. By using natural methods instead of complicated conventional medical procedures, alternative health practitioners provide their healing services to those who seek to explore an unconventional therapy in addition to whatever their medical doctors have subscribed, advised or performed.

Moreover, since complementary and alternative medicine’s goal is to create optimum health, it focuses on preventing disease and helping someone feel better overall. In fact, it looks at the underlying cause of the problem and addresses the issue at hand from every perspective and not just by examining the symptoms of ill health. The most well-known healing therapies belonging to the complementary and alternative medicine practice are: chiropractic, aromatherapy, massage, mind-body therapies such as deep breathing exercises and meditation, energy therapies, Yoga, traditional Chinese medicine and practices, like the age-old practice of acupuncture, homeopathy and diet therapies based on the use of herbs and nutritional supplements.

If you have never tried complementary and alternative medicine, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to indulge yourself with a massage session or keep your dietary habits in control. Simple practices will let you enjoy a precious healthy status for years to come.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Alternative Health, Fitness, and Games

Archives for February 2010

The Perfect Guide to Natural Vitamins

Alternative Medicine Runs To Your Rescue