Health & Fitness

Acid supplements help insure the body has the materials it needs to keep itself running properly. Acids perform myriad of bodily functions. They can act as the building blocks of hormones or reduce the risk of birth defects. So its important to make sure the body always has enough to work with. One of the most important groups of acids is amino acids.

Amino acids are considered the building blocks of proteins because each of the 22 different amino acids is responsible for the tissues, enzymes and hormones that make the human body tick. While most people get enough amino acids from protein and the stores the body produces, acid supplements are also used to boost mood or reduce the frequency or severity of oral herpes outbreaks. Experts recommend taking supplements of single amino acids that are focused on treating a specific issue because the body can usually produce more than enough amino acids on its own.

In other cases, the bodys ability to produce certain acids is diminished. Such is the case with hyaluronic acid. This acid acts as a moisturizer and lubricant that allows joints to slide smoothly and also keeps skin smooth and moist. In older people, hyaluronic acid production slows dramatically, to the point where a 50 year-old person has only half the hyaluronic acid in his skin compared to a child. Hyaluronic acid supplements can reduce joint pain and give skin a younger, smoother look.

Acid Supplements and Pregnant Women
Folic acid supplements help prevent birth defects in unborn children - especially spina bifida, a situation where the spinal cord does not fuse properly. This condition can lead to paralysis and learning disabilities when the baby is born. Because spina bifida occurs early in the pregnancy, before some women even know theyre pregnant, its important for all women who could become pregnant to take this acid supplement.

Herbal remedies dominated the medical world for millennia prior to the introduction of modern medicines such as penicillin. Evidence of herbal medicine in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Indian Science of Ayurveda dates back to more than 5000 years! Ayurveda way of treating diseases, ailments and lead a healthy life, is being used by 1/5th of the world population. Today more than ever the ancient science of Ayurveda practiced by saints are being re-introduced to the 21st century. There are still places today where herbal medicine is the only available treatment for disease.

Many modern medicines such as aspirin and codeine are derived from the same plants used in herbal treatments. This is one reason many modern doctors began to respect the power of herbs and incorporate herbal remedies into their treatments along with more modern approaches.

Herbal remedies are created from plants or parts of plants that are combined and work together to restore an individuals inner balance and heal the immune system. But just because they are natural does not mean they are always safe. Many herbal remedies have the potential to be dangerous and have serious side-effects, so it is important to talk to a health professional before using them. This is especially important for people who are taking other medications.

Herbal Remedies and Treatments
While modern medicine tends to prescribe specific drugs to treat specific diseases, herbal medicine takes a much more customized approach based on the individual. Rather than attacking a specific disease, herbalists prescribe herbs that will allow the body to heal itself and restore balance. That means if two people go in with the same ailments, the same herbalist could (and should!) prescribe totally different treatments. But dont expect to see results overnight. Because the premise of herbal medicine is to get the body to heal itself, the results of herbal treatment may not be apparent as quickly as those of modern drugs.

High cholesterol supplements can cut the risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. So why arent more people taking them, especially those with diets high in saturated fat? The main reason is lack of education. While most people know that high cholesterol is bad, most dont know their own cholesterol level or which foods and supplements can help bring cholesterol levels down.

One of the most popular high cholesterol supplements is soy. Soy milk and soy powder are two of the forms this extraordinarily versatile supplement can take. Soy fights artery blockage as it reduces the levels LDL (or bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, the main form of fat from foods.

High Cholesterol Supplements: A Fishy Connection
Guggul, also known as Commiphora Mukul and Guggulipid, is a very effective herbal medicine for controlling obesity and cholesterol. It is a well established fat burning agent all over the world and is currently becoming very popular in America, Japan, Europe and many other western nations. Guggul is a resin known to increase white blood cell counts and possess strong disinfecting properties. It has long been known to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, while maintain or improve the HDL to LDL ratio. It is one of the very first broad spectrum drugs with a wide therapeutic range. A broad mode of action makes this herb very helpful even in protecting against ailments such as common cold, and various skin, dental and ophthalmic infections.

One of the most famous herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, Guggul possesses strong purifying and rejuvenating powers. People today most commonly use it to benefit from Gugguls lipid regulating and immuno modulating properties. It has been shown that Guggul can lower blood cholesterol by 14-27% and can lower triglycerides by 22-30%. Guggul works on the liver by increasing the metabolism (or break down) of the bad cholesterol known as LDL Cholesterol. After taking the product for 4 to 12 weeks, total cholesterol levels can drop, triglyceride levels can drop and an increase in HDL (the good cholesterol) of approximately 16 can occur. Its benefits as a weight-loss and fat burning agent have been well researched and documented in several studies.

Calcium supplements are an essential part of a balanced diet because the body cannot produce calcium on its own. In addition to building and maintaining stronger bones, calcium also helps regulate the heartbeat and trigger the release of hormones. Food is the best source of calcium, but most people do not get enough calcium through their diet alone.

Calcium is stored in bones and released when there is not enough in the bloodstream to accommodate the bodys needs. It is also lost every day through urine, feces, sweat and skin. Calcium supplements ensure that there is sufficient calcium in the bloodstream and that reserves in bones are quickly replenished.

Experts recommend 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of total calcium intake per day. This can be through foods or supplements. One thing to remember when taking calcium supplements is that the body absorbs calcium supplements best when they are taken throughout the day in less than 500 milligram dosages. However, taking 1000 milligrams at once is still much better than not taking it at all.

Calcium Supplements and Osteoporosis
Because of its role in bone health, calcium is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, especially in post-menopausal women. Osteoporosis is a weakening of bone, which can lead to thin, brittle and easily broken bones. Although it can occur in men, too, the disease is primarily linked to the post-menopause reduction of ovarian estrogen in women, but it has also been linked to a low-calcium diet.

Testosterone supplements are used primarily by men to deal with lower testosterone levels as they get older. Like the majority of hormones, testosterone production slows as men age. Since testosterone is a major force in sex drive, building muscle mass and maintaining a youthful, its no surprise that the popularity of testosterone supplements has exploded in recent years.

Testosterone supplements are available in many forms, but the most common are creams, gels, patches and injections. All are effective–its just a matter of personal choice and convenience when deciding which is best. Creams and gels are the most popular because they are easy to use and dont require an injection or a patch to be worn all day.

Testosterone Supplements and Women
Testosterone is primarily thought of as a male hormone, but it is just as important in women. Testosterone is produced in womens ovaries and adrenal glands, albeit at lower levels than men. Women who experience lower interest in sex after menopause or giving birth often turn to testosterone to increase sex drive or bring it back to its previous level.

And its not only effective for increasing libido. Testosterone can also increase bone density, reduce the risk or severity of osteoporosis, increase energy, decrease fat and improve womens moods. It is especially important for women who take estrogen supplements to take testosterone supplements because estrogen replacement therapy can lead to lower testosterone production.