Archive for August, 2011
Green Lipped Mussel Supplements Have Many Important Health Benefits
Posted on August 28, 2011 | Healthy Nutrition.
It’s difficult for most people to maintain a healthy, balanced diet while living their busy schedules, which is certainly why supplements and vitamins have become increasingly popular over the past few years. And one such product that is really beginning to catch on is green lipped mussel supplements, and when you look at all the related benefits, it’s easy to understand why.
It’s long been known that certain super foods contain properties that are beneficial to the promotion of good health. What’s incredible about the whole process is that many of the benefits are discovered by complete accident. Perhaps the two best examples of this were the discovery that omega-3 fatty acids consumed by Inuit tribes in Greenland which contributed to their cardiovascular health.
And then there are the Maoris of New Zealand, whose overall lack of joint and muscular issues was attributed to the amount of green lipped mussels in their daily diet. It was that discovery that sparked interest in green lipped mussel supplements among those who suffered from joint problems.
Studies performed on the green lipped mussel were originally done to see if they, or any other mollusks native to New Zealand water, would contain any properties that would help in the treatment of cancer. None were found, but during those studies it was discovered that the mussels were particularly effective at combating inflammation of the joints that could eventually lead to arthritis.
While green lipped mussel supplements have proven to be most effective in those who suffer from joint inflammation, it has also proven to have a few other health benefits, which make taking it seem all the more appealing. Chief among those other positives are:
- Improved circulatory system
- Clearer skin
- A better immune system, which means your body will be less likely to fall prey to cold and other common illnesses
- An overall improvement in the nervous system
- Increased fertility
Taking a supplement that can significantly help with a specific ailment is great, but when it also assists in treating other parts of the body, then it becomes an essential part of the daily health routine. However, before you think about rushing out and grabbing up a bunch of green lipped mussel supplements, it’s important to realize that they are not all created equal.
Super foods do the most good when they are ingested raw, as taking them any other way generally means that a lot of the important nutrients are lost in the cooking process. The same applies to the mussel, and the best way to get the full benefits is to make sure that you opt for a supplement that is made from green lipped mussel powder, rather than oil.
When you take a green lipped mussel supplement made from powder extract, you are coming as close as possible to eating the mussel raw, and as result maximizing the health benefits of the supplement. In contrast, the oil is extracted from the powder, which reduces the possible benefits from the supplement because it no longer has the same nutrient profile as the raw mussels.
If you suffer from health problems coming from excess body inflammation, or the pain of arthritis or other joint problems, then taking green lipped mussel supplements may be the one natural remedy that can offer you a treatment and relief.
Hidden Folic Acid Facts
Posted on August 24, 2011 | Healthy Nutrition.
There are a few hidden folic acid facts that might make you more interested in this vitamin. Folic acid is a B vitamin which is water soluble meaning that it dissolves in water and can leave the human body through urine, just like vitamin C. Fat soluble vitamins can be absorbed by someone’s fat and stored in their tissue. The bad news about fat soluble vitamins is that it’s easier to overdose on them since the vitamins remain in the fat tissue.
One hidden folic acid fact that you might not know is that this vitamin protects humans from DNA attacks on their cells. The DNA of a cell is sort of like a blueprint. The reason the dna of a cell is crucial is because cells are constantly recreating themselves and they need an accurate blueprint to copy itself correctly. If the DNA of a cell gets damaged in any way then it can lead to a changed cells which is big factor to the aging process, wrinkly skin, less energy and some ailments such as cancer.
Some people don’t know that this vitamin can protect someone against asthma and allergies. In one study with thousands of people they discovered a 16-30 percent higher risk of these two health problems if someone doesn’t consume enough folic acid. Another very important fact about this vitamin is that it can cut the chance of a pregnant woman to have a child with a neural tube defect by as high as 70%.
A neural tube defect is when part of a baby’s spine or brain is exposed to air which as you can imagine is not very healthy or pretty. The fact which may come to a surprise to some people is that a neural tube defect usually occurs in the very earliest stages of pregnancy before many women even know they are pregnant. This means that if a woman waits until she is pregnant to start taking folic acid it may be too late to receive the protection against this type of birth defect. The important lesson is that it’s a really good idea for any women that are sexually active to take folic acid just to be on the safe side of not having a miscarriage.
The really good news is that it’s actually fairly easy for someone to get folic acid. Many popular breakfast cereals have this vitamin, as well as pastas, breads, green vegetables, beans, fruits and eggs. Another very easy way someone can acquire folic acid is through a daily multi-vitamin. Unfortunately the industry can be about as confusing as learning chemistry which is why our group strongly recommends for more people to learn the basics before shopping. This way if you do go shopping for supplements you’re more likely to get more quality for less money.