If You Are A Women Over 50 You Need To Know The Best Affordable Supplements

Author:

John Bradstreet

In order to maintain good health we all need the proper balance and quantities of vitamins. They provide us with defense from disease, make our bones strong and healthy and increase our energy levels to name a few of the benefits. But did you know that once a woman reaches the age of 50 she will need to concentrate more on certain types of vitamins. You may have symptoms of early menopause such as hot flashes or night sweets which can be the result of lacking certain vitamins. You may feel that you do just not have the energy levels that you once did or be concerned about the appearance of your hair. We are going to look at a few affordable supplements that can help you in these areas and others.

After a women passes the age of 50 vitamins that will help slow the ageing process and give more energy become very important. As we all age our immune systems become less effective so we need to look vitamins and supplements that can help us boost immunity. We also need to concentrate on vitamins that help balance hormones to deal with the symptoms of menopause.

Vitamin B3 which you will also hear referred to as niacin has many benefits. As we age cholesterol may become a problem. Niacin can help increase good cholesterol levels and thus help with some of the problems older women go through in respect to bad cholesterol. It will assist in prevent hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosingis. We can get niacin as an over the counter drug or through high quality supplements or from diet. This is also one of the vitamins that can aid us in hair growth.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) has the effect of increasing serotonin levels thus reducing the chance of depression. This is the reason why doctors sometimes use vitamins in the treatment of clinical depression. It can also help control levels of homocysteine which is involved in blood clotting as well as urinary oxalate levels that can lead to the development of kidney stones.

Folic acid (vitamin B6) helps in the production of DNA. This will aid cell division and the formation of tissue. Studies have shown that this vitamin can also reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. It is also recommended for macular degeneration and symptoms caused by PMS.

Another very important vitamin for women in this age group would be vitamin B12 which you may also hear referred to as Cobalamin. This is essential for the formation of red blood cells. As we age this becomes more and more important. Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to a condition called pernicious anemia which can block the release of glycoprotein. This vitamin also controls the release of melatonin and serotonin. These are important hormones that control sleep and mood.

Due to the fact that women over the age of 50 develope brittle bones and osteoporosi vitamin D is needed. This vitamin helps facilitate the absorption of calcium into the body. Even if you are eating a diet high in calcium to avoid this condition you may not be getting the maximum benefit if it is not being absorbed properly into the body. If you are deficient in this vitamin it may also be causing unnecessary fatigue. It will also aid in cell growth and tissue formation.

Finally we are going to look at vitamin E. If you are deficient in this vitamin it can lead to cataracts, age spots and decreased mental capacity. A word of warning is appropriate here. Overdoses of vitamin E can lead to serious negative medical conditions and in rare cases even death.

Now that you have the knowledge of which are the most effective vitamins for women over 50 you can concentrate on having adequate levels either through diet or supplementation. It is a fact that every women has a different medical history. For this reason it is advised that you speak to your primary care physician prior to starting any supplementation program.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/if-you-are-a-women-over-50-you-need-to-know-the-best-affordable-supplements-4338415.html

About the Author
If you are a women serious about maintaining your good health visit us at affordable supplements right now. You will be glad you did

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Some Very Surprising Truths About Sunscreens – Part Three

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This is part three of a three part series on facts about the use of sunscreens which the industry may not want you to be aware of. We have links to Part One and Part Two if you missed them.

CHOOSING BETWEEN CHEMICAL AND MINERAL BASED PRODUCT

The ideal sunscreen would block 100% of the UV rays which are the cause of sunburn, free radical formation and immune suppression. It would also be effective for several hours and not contain ingredients that cause harm when they break down in the sun. Additional characteristics that it would have are to smell good and feel pleasant to use. This would assure that people would use it in the correct amounts and with the suggested frequency for maximum protection.

It should not be a surprise that no sunscreen presently sold in the U.S conforms to all of these criteria. The choices that are available are between chemical and mineral sunscreens. Chemical based sunscreens may have compounds which penetrate the skin and possibly disrupt the hormonal system. A study done in Europe has shown that some of these more common chemicals used in sunscreen has been detected in mother’s milk and may affect the fetus and newborn. Mineral based sunscreens on the other hand will contain trace amounts of zinc and titanium.

Some feel that mineral based sunscreens are the safest between the two choices. They do not break down in sunlight and are not felt to penetrate the skin. They also offer UVA protection which is lacking in so many of the products available.

WHY ARE SUNSCREENS SOLD IN EUROPE BETTER

The answer is simple; sunscreen manufacturers in Europe simply have more options available to them. There they can choose between 27 different chemicals to incorporate into their products as opposed to 17 in the United States. They have the choice of seven UVA filters that they can add as opposed to three when they market in the U.S. Under the FDA’s own rating system European sunscreens would earn a four star rating for UVA protection while American products would earn 3 stars. Some of the approved sunscreen chemicals used in Europe provide up to five times the protection of those approved here. American companies have been waiting for several years now for the FDA to approve some of these chemicals which would provide much more protection. Lastly if proposed regulations are finalized in Europe they will have many more products available to them with strong UVA protection because it will be mandatory. Under the FDA’s current proposals this will not be the case for Americans.

34 YEARS WITHOUT FDA ENFORCABLE GUIDELINES

In the case of sunscreens consumer protection is non-existent due to the FDA’s failure to set enforceable guidelines. This is while researchers have found serious problems with some existing products which include manufacturers overstating claims and inadequate UVA protection. Many current problems within the sunscreen industry will be corrected when and if the FDA finalizes their guidelines. But even after the proposed rules are enacted there will be gaps. They do not look at toxicity concerns such as hormone disruption when approving new UVA filters. The new rules being proposed would also allow manufacturers to use vitamin A which can damage skin when exposed to sunlight and fail to measure the stability of other ingredients when they come into contact with the sun.

We hope that this series has given you some valuable information that you can use when choosing a sunscreen product for you and your family. Have fun at the beach.

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Affordable Supplements For Good Bone Health

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Many associate poor bone health with aging. The reality is that with the diet many people eat today degradation of our bones starts well before that. This means that it is very important for us to have a good understanding of the best supplements which can keep our bones strong and healthy.

Most are aware of the importance of calcium when it comes to maintaining healthy bones. One important thing when it comes to calcium that we need to consider is absorption. With age our body tends to absorb less calcium. Calcium citrate our calcium ascrobate will be absorbed much easier than calcium carbonate so if you are taking a supplement make sure to check the label. Many doctors suggest 1000 mg per day for adults, 1300 mg for older children and teens and 1200 mg each day for women over 50 and men over 70. Taking smaller doses of say 400 to 500 mg throughout the day will also aid in absorption.

Vitamin D is also important to maintaining healthy bones because it is essential to the absorption of calcium. The body naturally produces and stores this nutrient when the skin exposed to the sun. Production of vitamin D is affected by factors such as location, the time of year, use of sunscreen, and the complexion of your skin. Because of these factors taking a supplement is usually more reliable. It is recommended that adults take between 800 and 1000 mg each day.

Vitamin K is essential in the production of a protein called osteocalcin. This protein will attract calcium to the bone and increase its density. The most effective form of vitamin K is K2. It is suggested that adults take between 45 to 120 mcg each day. Vitamin K is also associated with blood clotting and should not be taken by those on blood thinning medications or those that know they will be having any type of surgery. As always it is best to consult with your doctor before starting any supplementation program.

Magnesium is important to calcium metabolism and bone formation. It also helps to regulate levels of vitamin D. The body absorbs less magnesium as we age and it is suggested that you supplement with 250 to 350 mg twice each day.

Along with these affordable supplements to assure good bone health it is important to have a healthy and well balanced diet. Green leafy vegetables provide many of these nutrients as well as dairy products, legumes and whole grains.

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Some Very Surprising Truths About Sunscreens – Part Two

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This is part two of a three part series on facts about the use of sunscreens which the industry may not want you to be aware of. If you missed part one you can view it here.

LACK OF SUNLIGHT MAY LEAD TO VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Over the last two decades vitamin D deficiency in this country has reach epidemic levels. It is estimated the 70% of children under the age of 21 are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is produced by the body when it is exposed to sunlight and it is believed that sunscreen inhibits this natural process. This is a nutrient that is very important to overall health. It is known to strengthen bones, boost the immune system as well as reduce the risk of some types of cancer such as breast, colon, ovarian and kidney. It is also responsible for regulating over 1000 different genes in the body affecting virtually every tissue. Those children that seem to be affected most from this deficiency would be obese children and those who spend more than four hours each day playing video games, watching TV and other indoor activities.

There seems to be no agreement however from the experts as to a solution. The American Medical Association (AMA) in 2008 suggests exposure to 10 minutes of direct sunlight several times a week without the use of sunscreen. This is in contrast to the American Academy of Dermatology which stated in 2009 that “there is no scientifically validated safe threshold of level of UV exposure from the sun that allows for maximum vitamin D synthesis without increasing skin cancer risk.” Supplementation is an alternative but there is debate over the proper amount which should be taken. The institute of Medicine is currently doing research to access what a proper amount would be. Until this research is complete your doctor can test for vitamin D deficiency and suggest the use of supplements vs. sunshine.

VITAMIN A FOUND IN SUNSCREEN CAN SPEED UP THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER

The sunscreen industry currently adds vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, to 30% of its products. This is in light of recent data provided by the FDA that this form of vitamin A when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight can actually speed the development of skin lesions and tumors.

The reason that the industry adds vitamin A to its products is for the antioxidant properties it offers which can slow skin aging. While this may be true for lotions and creams that are used at night and indoors the FDA’s study of vitamin A’s photocarcinagenic properties when used outdoors in the sunlight raises the question that it may result in cancerous tumors. Scientists have known for some time now that vitamin A can increase the growth of skin and when exposed to sunlight results in the formation of free radicals that can damage DNA.

The sunscreen industry is already dealing with studies as to weather or not their products protect against skin cancer and if these studies conducted by the FDA hold true it would deal a devastating blow to the industry in general.

Until there is more conclusive evidence as to the increased risk of tumors it may be advisable to use products that do not contain vitamin A.

SKIN DAMAGING BY-PRODUCTS OF SUNSCREENS AND FREE RADICALS

Free radicals can damage DNA and skin cells, accelerate aging of the skin and cause skin cancer. These free radicals are formed from both UV radiation and some of the ingredients commonly used in sunscreen. A high quality sunscreen will prevent more damage than it causes but are much more effective in preventing sunburn than limiting free radical damage. While the SPF rating ranges from 15 to 50 and higher the “free radical protection factors” come in at around 2. If you apply too little sunscreen or apply it too infrequently as many people do it can actually cause more free radical damage than UV rays on bare skin can.

Our final installment of this series will be published on Monday, August 22, 2011. We will look at why the FDA has failed to finalize sunscreen policy for 33 years and the benefits that European sunscreens have over those sold in the U.S. You won’t want to miss it.

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Seven Healthy Living Tips For A Lifetime Of Good Eye Health

Maintaining healthy eyesight is something everyone needs to do from an early age in order to avoid disease later in life. There are several healthy living tips which can aid you in doing this. We are going to look at seven of the most effective and the benefits that they offer.

INCORPORATE GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES INTO YOUR DIET

Lutein is a carotenoid that is contained in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens and some other dark colored vegetables. These carotenoids have been associated with the reduction in the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration as we age. It is suggested that you eat two serving each day.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants help to eliminate the affects of free radicals which are caused by environmental factors such as pollution and sunlight. These free radicals can cause the lens of the eye to harden which can contribute to cataracts and macular degeneration. Foods which are high in these antioxidants would include berries, plums, oranges and cherries. You should also try to include two servings of these types of foods daily.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

High levels of these essential nutrients can be found in fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut. They aid in eye health by maintaining the eyes protective film and preventing “dry eye” and even in preventing cataracts. If you are a person that does not eat fish consider a good fish oil supplement. An added benefit of Omega-3s is their contribution to good heart health.

MUNCH ON A CARROT

Carrots along with other orange colored foods such as pumpkin and butternut squash contain beta-carotene which is also a carotenoid that contributes to good eye health.

SUNGLASSES

One of the major contributors to hardening of the lens in the eye is UV light. This contributes to both macular degeneration and cataracts. Make sure you wear sunglasses when outdoors that filter out 100% of UV light. If you happen to spend a lot of time in the sun a hat with a wide brim can also add extra protection.

INCREASE YOUR HEART RATE

This will contribute to eye health by reducing the pressure in the eye which can contribute to glaucoma. Exercise such as jogging walking or swimming will help you accomplish this. Try to exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Choose something that you enjoy doing and this will increase the chance of you sticking with it for the long run. It will also help in maintaining weight and good heart heath.

MULTIVITAMINS

According to the National Eye Institute some affordable supplements which contain antioxidants, vitamin E, C and beta-carotene along with the minerals zinc and copper have been shown to slow the progression of advanced macular degeneration in some high risk patients that were studied. In a recent article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine it was shown that B12, B6 and folic acid may also help. Include a high quality multivitamin in your daily routine as a good preventative step.

By following these simple tips you can increase the chance that you will not come down with eye disease as you age and will also be on your way to a healthier lifestyle in general.

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What Are The Causes of Childhood Obesity?

Author:

John Bradstreet

Two thirds of all Americans are now considered overweight or obese. This is in spite of all the advances recently made in the field of nutrition. Some feel that it has reached epidemic proportions at home as well as around the world. Even more concerning is that 15of children in this country are considered overweight. Just a few decades ago this number stood at 4

We are starting to see diseases that were contracted in adulthood now affecting children and adolescents. Children that are overweight or obese have a much higher chance of dying of heart disease when they get older. This is even affecting the youngest among us with 10of preschoolers being overweight.

Being obese has many risk factors for children. Childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension. It also increases the risk of heart disease, childhood diabetes, and osteoarthritis. But the most important consequence may be what is does as far as psychological pressure and peer pressure that may cause periods of depression in a child. Social and peer pressures that a child goes through are the main consequences of childhood obesity.

A combination of factors can cause childhood obesity such as genetics, family history, psychological and nutritional. It is true that not all obese infants will turn into obese children and not all obese children will turn into obese adults it is important to understand these risk factors.

What role does family play? Children that are born to parents that are obese have a better chance of either being born obese or developing the condition over time. This can be related to several factors. Genetics could play a role; the parents could have a sedimentary lifestyle and does not include enough physical exercise. Or they may not have developed good nutritional habits.

A lack of activity can also cause a child to be obese. We all know that children in general are much less active than pervious generations. Children now spend more time on computers or watching television than they do in outside activities such as sports. This causes children to become couch potatoes and put on more pounds than is healthy for them. If parents allow their children to develop bad habits at an early age it is more likely that being overweight will develop into obesity as they age. We have to make sure that our children are getting the physical activity that they require.

Nutrition is also a key factor. In today\'s world of fast and processed foods our children are not getting the proper nutrition that is needed. These foods contain high levels of fat and provide little nutritional value. The surprising thing is that with all the knowledge we have gained in the last few decades in the field of nutrition somehow it is not being utilized. One factor here is that with the huge amount of information available people are confused as to how to interpret it. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association have all come out with guidelines that help people make sense of this.

How does heredity affect obesity? We all know children that get very little exercise and do not eat a nutritious diet but are not overweight or obese. This is why researchers are taking a look at heredity as a factor. We know that infants born to overweight mothers generally gain more weight in the first three months of life than infants born to mothers that are not. There may be an inborn drive to conserve energy? More research is needed in the area to come to any concrete conclusions.

Childhood obesity is much easier to prevent than to fix all the health problems that a generation is going to have to endure because of it. The first step has to be the education of parents. They need to be told the importance of breast feeding, exercise and proper eating habits. They also need to be introduced to low fat snack foods and exactly what proper nutrition for their children entails. In cases where heredity is the problem they need to know how to build self esteem in their children and deal with psychological problems as they arise.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-are-the-causes-of-childhood-obesity-1681197.html

About the Author

John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He has more than 25 years in his field and is a great source of information. To learn more about childhood
obesity
we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject.

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Some Very Surprising Truths About Sunscreens – Part One

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This is part one of a three part series we are doing to make people aware of some important facts concerning the use of sunscreens.

If you use sunscreen you can be assured that it will prevent you from getting sunburn. The fact is that with this said there is little else known about the safety and effectiveness of these products. This is due mainly to the fact that the FDA failed to finalize the 1978 Sunscreen Safety Standards. We are going to tell you several truths about sunscreens that may make you question whether you should be using them at all or at least as the first line of defense.

DO SUNSCREENS PREVENT SKIN CANCER?

It may surprise many to know that there is no clear consensus on this. In 2007 the FDA said in a draft on sunscreen safety regulations that “FDA is not aware of any data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone prevents skin cancer”. IRAC (The International Agency for Research on Cancer) agrees with the FDA on this point. They recommend protective clothing, shade and hats as the primary defense against skin cancer. They say that “sunscreens should not be the first choice of skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection from the sun”.

EVIDENCE THAT SUNSCREENS INCREASE THE RISK OF THE DEADLIEST FORM OF SKIN CANCER FOR SOME USERS

Recent research has shown that the risk of melanoma is increased in those who use sunscreen. While the exact cause is not known some researchers speculate that those who use sunscreen tend to stay in the sun longer thus absorbing more UV radiation or that some of the chemicals used in these products produce free radical activity when they break down. Another reason may be that the number of inferior products that have been widely used over the last 30 years may have lead to it. While many public health officials still recommend the use of sunscreen they also emphasize the need for protective clothing and moderation.

WHILE THERE ARE MORE HIGH SPF SUNSREENS AVAILABLE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY OFFER MORE PROTECTION

In 2007 in the sunscreen safety regulation draft the FDA prohibited the industry from labeling their products with SPF (sunscreen protection factor) of over 50. They went on to say that these claims of higher values are “inherently misleading” in light of the fact that “there is no assurance that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful”. Scientist at the FDA were concerned that these higher SPF value would cause people to stay in the sun for longer periods of time by suppressing sunburn which is the body’s natural way of telling you that you are getting to much sun. This also increases the risk of other types of skin damage.

In spite of the concerns that the FDA expressed for the public heath the industry began increasing their high SPF offerings in 2011. Almost 20% of the products available today advertise SPF’s over 50. This compares to 12.5% in 2009.

We will be publishing the second and third part of this series on the next two Mondays. Learn what an industry does not want you to know and find out how to protect yourself.

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