Learn why Minerals are so Important for your Body!

Electrolyte replacement

TMR LAUNCHES ENDURE ELECTROLYTE

Trace Minerals Research recently added a new electrolyte replacement supplement to its line of products to give consumers a better way to hydrate during mild or intense physical activity.
“This product is unlike anything in the market right now,” said Matt Kilts, managing partner for Trace Minerals Research. “There are so many athletes and avid runners out there who want to get away from sports drinks because they’re so hard on their stomach, but still want to benefit from the electrolytes found in those types of products. ENDURE is the answer.”
ENDURE is a pure electrolyte complex that contains all major electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride. The difference between ENDURE and most sports powders and drinks is that it doesn’t have any sweeteners or flavorings and, therefore, contains no added carbohydrates. Once added to water, it tastes just like water and nothing else.
ENDURE enhances hydration without the added calories or sugar that can undermine fitness and weigh down endurance athletes.
In addition, the electrolytes found in ENDURE aid in the energy production process and also can help against cramps, a nemesis to endurance athletes.
ENDURE is also specifically designed for the endurance athlete who frequently uses hydration packs because it contains no sticky stuff to clean up after use. Clean-up is the same as if you had simply filled your hydration pack with water.




source 

Is It a Good Idea to Take Folic Acid While Trying to Conceive?

A doctor will usually advise you take a folic acid supplement while you are pregnant but can it also be beneficial while you are trying to conceive?

Firstly, what is folic acid? It is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 and it reduces the risk of neural tube defects in babies by up to 70%. Neural tube defects occur during the first stage of pregnancy, usually when a woman doesn't know that she's pregnant. Those first few weeks of conception are a critical stage of foetal development. So if you can take the folic acid supplement before you fall pregnant, it can lower this risk dramatically. It is recommended that you take a folic acid supplement at least one month before conception. It is also suggested that folic acid can help lower the risks of other defects in developing babies such as heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, amongst others. It could also reduce the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. It also helps your body to make red blood cells which could prevent a certain type of anaemia. In addition, it plays a pivotal role in the production of DNA and the genetic map as well as the functioning and repair thereof. They are a basic building block for cells and they are really important for the placenta's rapid cell growth. Folic acid is crucial for the developing baby.

Starting at least a month before you want to conceive, it is recommended that you take 400 microg
rams of folic acid per day. You can get these supplements at any pharmacy. If you are at a child bearing age, you could take it every day as part of your daily vitamin regiment, seeing that many pregnancies are unplanned. On the other hand, avoid taking too much of this supplement. You should not take more than 1000 micrograms per day unless otherwise advised by your doctor. This is something you need to consider especially if you live a vegan lifestyle. Whatever your lifestyle currently, if you are planning to fall pregnant soon there are changes that you will have to make for the healthy development of your baby.

In general, you need to consult a doctor before you take any supplements while trying to conceive. If you are on any particular fertility treatment such as IVF your fertility doctor will prescribe the recommended supplements you need to take. Always be careful and take the advice of a specialist when it comes to pregnancy.
Source: 

3 things you need to know when choosing a probiotic supplement

Coconut Oil Health Benefits

Coconut oil has been a controversial supplement for many years. Due to the fact that it is high in saturated fat, it has been seen as an unhealthy oil. On the other hand, Coconut Oil is rich in Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) - and these are seen as very healthy fats. So, do the health benefits of coconut oil outweigh the dangers? This is the question we will address in this articles.

The Old View of Coconut Oil

Years ago consumers were urged to switch to Olive Oil, which is very low in saturated fats. While it is true that Coconut Oil is high in saturated fats - it is not true that all saturated fats are the same. Animal fat have saturated long chain fatty acids. Long chain fatty acids are very hard for the body to digest and absorb and most people would agree that too much animal fat is not healthy.

Coconut Oil on the other hand is made up of mostly Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs). MCFAs can be absorbed by our mitochondria and can be converted into energy. In fact, Lauric Acid - a MCFA is a very healthy and really only found in two places - Coconut Oil and Breast Milk!

In the end, there is a big difference when it comes to saturated fats and any health benefits or health risks. MCFAs have strong potential health benefits while Long Chain Fatty Acids, are more harmful fats and should not be consumed in large quantities.

Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

Today you can purchase Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil and this is the best way to received the health benefits from the nutrients that are in coconuts. It is very important that consumers use only unrefined, cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil - as this has not been exposed to high heat ot chemicals. High heat and chemicals can destroy the MCFAs and Lauric Acid in the coconut oil and therefore greatly decrease any potential health benefits.

Coconut Oil for Weight Loss?

It may seem strange to think of a fatty oil as a weight loss aide - but studies show it is possible. Coconut oil can increase energy levels and decrease our appetite. If we are able to burn more calories than we take in, we can see real weight loss. It is important note that this is not a magic weight loss supplement - rather, it is a food that can help you achieve your weight loss goals when used in combination with diet and exercise.

A Word About Eating Healthy

There are many different theories on what type of diet is the most healthy. There are literally thousands of books that have been written on eating healthy and diet. It is well beyond the scope of this article to come up with a specific eating plan consumers should follow, but we can offer this advice - there is no one right answer to what you should eat.

There is a great deal of debate and controversy when it comes to what foods are healthy and what are not. For years, alcohol was seen as unhealthy, now it is considered by many to be unhealthy NOT to drink a glass of red wine per day. This is due to the discovery of resveratrol in red grapes and their health benefits. Yes, there is a negative to wine, but in moderation, the positives of the resveratrol in red wine out weigh the negatives.

It is a very similar story when we look at oils and fatty acids. It is not black and white in terms of something being either healthy or unhealthy. When it comes to diet and health, there are many shades of gray and the more you know, the better the decision you can make.

We firmly believe that consumers who do extensive research and read the latest medical findings are in the best position to make informed health decisions. When our mom said "You are what you eat" she was absolutely right. So much of our health is determined by what we eat, so it is very important that we know the potential health benefits, side effects and health risks of everything we eat.

A Word About Exercise

It is important to understand that healthy eating is just one part of the equation. In addition to having a healthy diet, you also want to make sure you exercise. Exercise has many important health benefits. Of course there is the physical aspect to exercise, but there is also a very strong mental aspect. Study after study have shown that regular exercise can increase spirit, mood and general happiness.

If you want to look great and feel great, your best bet is to have a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis.


Finding the Best Coconut Oil If you want to add a pure coconut oil supplement to your diet, the Perfect Coconut Oil is an excellent choice. The best coconut oil is made with extra virgin organic cold pressed coconut oil. Coconut oil benefits such as increased energy and weight loss are most likely with completely unprocessed and pure oil.

Source:

What is Creatine? Should You Be Taking This Supplement?

Energize and Enjoy With Nettle

Winter is my season. I love the snow and the cold; I crave the deep and nourishing dark; I delight when the sun makes rainbows in the snow. The holidays grant us all permission to glitter and shine, to be golden and glowing, to twinkle like a star and smile at strangers; and that is nourishing to my soul.
But winter isn't for everyone. For some, winter is a time of sadness and exhaustion. The reduced hours of daylight can bring the doldrums. Too much permission to drink alcohol and eat refined sugars can leave one feeling less than lively, even leaden.
There are numerous remedies for those who wish spring were around the corner, but the two I like best are St. Joan's wort and stinging nettle.
St. Joan's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is also known as St. John's wort. But since it is a plant associated with fire, I figure St. Joan is the better name. No matter what you call it, this yellow-flowered plant is a real sun-lover. It soaks up as much sun as it can all summer, even stretching itself horizontal to catch those rays. And it stores that laughing sunshine in its leaves and flowers, which I harvest in the heat of July and tincture. You don't have to make your own, of course, you can buy it. Just be sure to get a tincture made with fresh plants, not dried ones.
I imbibe St. Joan's wort's sunny disposition by taking a dropperful in a little water or tea as often as every hour, or as needed, to chase the blues. Though the popular press seems confused by the studies, scientific medicine is convinced: St. Joan's wort is as effective in altering mood, even for those severely depressed, as the most commonly-used drugs. And even high doses of the tincture are without side-effects.

Do be careful, as capsules and tablets may increase skin sensitivity and interfere with the effectiveness of drugs you may be taking. For safety's sake, I use only Hypericum tincture, no other form.
Since St. Joan's wort is a powerful antiviral as well, it does double duty. Taking several dropperfuls a day can drastically reduce the number and severity of colds and flu episodes. And that makes everyone happy, as well as healthy.

  Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a common weed throughout much of the world. The dried herb makes a nourishing herbal infusion that packs more energy per cup than any stimulant, and without the downside of caffeine or stimulating herbs like cayenne and ginger. Tired teenagers, sleep-deprived new moms, stressed executives, wakeful menopausal gals, and wise women of all ages depend on stinging nettle to restore mood, replenish energy, and guarantee sound sleep.
Nettle is amazingly rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, especially the critical trace minerals: anti-cancer selenium, immune-enhancing sulphur, memory-enhancing zinc, diabetes-chasing chromium, and bone-building boron. A quart of nettle infusion contains more than 1000 milligrams of calcium, 15000 IU of vitamin A, 760 milligrams of vitamin K, 10% protein, and lavish amounts of most B vitamins.
There is no denser nutrition found in any plant, not even bluegreen algae; and nettle is much more reasonably priced than any supplement, especially if you buy more than an ounce or two at a time.
But we must consume lots of nettle to get this power-packed nutrition. I infuse a full ounce dried nettle in a quart of water to make a brew that nourishes my ability to think and supports my desire to work. Infusing nettle maximizes its energy-enhancing effects too. Teas, tinctures and capsules of nettle contain too little herb to make a difference in vim and vigor. To experience the miracle of nettle, you'll need to take the time to make a real infusion.
A student writes: "After drinking a quart of nettle infusion daily for only four days, I now have more energy then my toddler! Now, when he goes to sleep, I get some time to myself, instead of falling asleep with him. I can't thank you enough for the gift of nettle."
Nettle builds energy from the inside out by nourishing the adrenals, which I think of as "energy central." Nettle smoothly and persistently carries optimum nourishment to every cell in the body, and brings a smile to your face. Because the minerals in nettle infusion are polarized to the blood, they are literally magnetized into the blood stream without needing to be digested. Drinking a glass of cold nettle infusion pumps so much nourishment into the blood you'll feel invigorated in just a few days.
Regular use of stinging nettle (I drink 2-3 quarts a week) not only increases energy, it brings a shine and swing to the hair, strengthens fingernails, clears and firms skin, restores elasticity to blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, counters incontinence, improves digestion, reduces cancer risk, and strengthens the lungs.
Another student writes: "My doctor is astonished. He insisted that I had to take drugs to deal with my severe osteoporosis. Instead, I drank two quarts of nettle infusion a week for several years. According to my latest bone scan, I now - at the age of 67 - have the bone mass of a woman half my age. Ha, ha, ha! With nettle, I get the last laugh on modern medicine."

To make a nettle infusion: Measure out one ounce of the dried herb. Boil a quart of water. Put the dried herb into a quart jar and fill to the top with the boiling water. Stir with a wooden spoon and add water until the jar is full to the top. Lid tightly and set aside to brew for at least four hours, or overnight, whichever is easier for you.
To use: Strain and squeeze the liquid out of the herb. Be sure to refrigerate your infusion, as it will go bad at room temperature once it is done brewing. (If that happens, I use it as plant food. And you should see how my roses adore it!)
Nettle infusion is delicious over ice. Its rich green taste is not at its best when served hot. Adding honey can make it taste quite strange. Some folks like to add a little apple juice to sweeten it. Or stir in some miso, for a salty drink. However you consume it, do drink it up within a few days, as nettle infusion doesn't last.
Green blessings surround us, even in the middle of winter.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material on this website/email is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.

Source: