Xtend Your Life

Secretly we all want just a few things in life, none the
least of which is to live a life that is healthy and
energetic. One way to accomplish this is to eat a well
balanced diet that fuels the body to take on lifes
challenges.

Did you know that one of the best things you can do to
improve your overall health and well being is to eat a
diet that is well rounded and nutritious?

Diet can make the difference between feeling great and
feeling just o.k. But how do you know which foods will
propel you to health and well being?

Proper nutrition is easy. In fact, all you need to do to
ensure your health and well being is follow five simple
steps, outlined below.

Top Five Tips for Maintaining Optimal Nutrition

Eat a well balanced diet. This means you have to
incorporate foods from each of the four food groups.

Adopt the phrase moderation. At no time should you
consider some foods bad and other foods good.
Rather, all foods can be nourishing if they are eaten in
moderation. Chocolate cake will not make you fat if you
dont eat it every day for dinner!

Take a multi-vitamin. Even the healthiest dieter may
not get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need from
diet alone. Why? Our bodies aren’t always able to
absorb nutrients efficiently from the foods we eat.
Thus it is important to take a multi-vitamin and mineral
supplement daily.

Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on
your diet, and even contribute to weight gain.

Exercise daily. Even 10 minutes of routine exercise
can help your body maintain its peak fitness level.

Excessive consumption of alcohol can also wreak havoc on
your diet. Alcohol inhibits the bodys ability to absorb
vital nutrients, such as calcium. In addition, alcohol
in the evening can interfere with your sleep cycle.

Other things you can do to improve you nutrition include
incorporating lean proteins and fish into your diet. Fatty
fishes including salmon provide key nutrients called
essential fatty acids which help your brains ability to
function properly.

Nutrition is a choice. For you to be the healthiest
person you can be, it is vital that you make choices that
are good for you and your well being. Adopting just a
couple of the strategies above will help you tremendously
on your journey toward optimal health.

Beverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse – Free health, diet and fitness articles and weekly newsletters http://www.healthandfinesse.com

Author: Beverley Brooke
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information

The aging process is for the greater part no mystery anymore. It consists for a great part of daily damages done on the macroscopic, tissue, cellular and genetic levels. These add up as the years are passing. These damages have specific causes like oxidating agents, sun beams, mechanical wear and tear, psychological stress, lack of some nutritional components and too much of others, like fat.

Another component of aging is the reduction of the telomere chains at the chromosome ends, as each cell division occurs. However, the body has means to repair these ends again, with an enzyme called telomerase. The rapidity of the aging process depends on lack of efficiency in this repair process. The above mention aging causes also slow down this repair process.

The factors causing aging, also causes other diseases like cancer and coronary heart disease. Both aging and these diseases can in great extend be prevented with the knowledge possessed today, and the damages can in great extend be reversed. The components to achieve this are:

-Adequate dayly food containing whole cereals, peas, beans, vegetables, fruit, fish, mushroms, fouls and seafood, and with just a moderate amount of red meat.

-Just a moderate amount of fat and most of the fat supply comming from sources like olive, fish, nuts, sun-flower, etc. Then you will get a good balance between mono-unsaturated fat (olive), poly-unsaturated fat of the omaga-3-type (fish) and poly-unsaturated fat of the omega-6-type.

-Just a very moderate amount of butter, soya oil, corn oil and palm oil. A high consumption of these fat sources gives you too much saturated fat and poly-unsaturated omega-6-fat.

-Just a very moderate amount of sugar, refined flour or refined cereals.

-Supplements of specific nutritional components like vitamins, minerals, lecitin and some essential fatty acids.

-Adequate training, that both gives both a muscular load, work up your condition and stretches out your body. To stretch out, yoga-exercizes are ideal.

-Adequate rest and stress-reduction. Daily meditation is a method of achieving this. Natural relaxing agents or spesific tools for meditation or relaxation may also be useful.

-Supplements of specific anti-aging agents like anti-oxidants or human growth hormone.

-Use of spesific anti-aging agents to apply upon the skin surface.

-To protect the skin against excessive sun exposure.

The amount one needs of nutritional supplements, like vitamins and minerals, differs very much according to a person`s health condition, work load and exposure to environmental stress. A person having a poor digestion, doing high performance sport or being exposed to a high amount of environmental stressors, may need more than an person in an average situation.

About The Author

Submitted by Pantera Consulting K Holt, att/Knut Holt. This article can be freely used as long as the following url is attached: http://www.panteraconsulting.com/salg2.htm

k-holt2@online.no

Author: Knut Holt
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Hybrid and Electric Cars

Neuro-Natural Serenity

free video player & video platform - interactive video, online video solution: video player, video editor - kaltura
wordpress video - wordpress plugin for integrated video on video blogs, and video tools

This is a YouTube Video I found about nutrition and vitamin supplements.

Total Balance Men's Premium

free video player & video platform - interactive video, online video solution: video player, video editor - kaltura
wordpress video - wordpress plugin for integrated video on video blogs, and video tools

Bone Protec

Although a well-balanced diet is the best way to consume vitamins and minerals, some people prefer to take out an insurance policy or two in the form of supplements. One thing is for sure; there is no shortage of calcium supplements on the market! Here are some helpful consumer hints to narrow down your selection:

TYPES OF CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS

Calcium Carbonate is the most inexpensive and readily available option. It contains the highest level of elemental calcium (40%), therefore fewer pills may be required in order to reach your desired daily intake. This big amount of calcium is typically accompanied by a big pill. A chewable or liquid version may be preferred for those who find the tablets too big to swallow. Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals or with an acidic beverage such as orange juice. It is alkaline based and requires extra stomach acid for maximum absorption. For some, intestinal distress in the form of gas or constipation. If this happens to you, try upping your dietary fiber intake, and drink more water. If this doesnt help, switch to calcium citrate.

Calcium Citrate usually costs just a bit more than calcium carbonate, and is not quite as easy to find, but on the whole it is an excellent option. Calcium citrate has less elemental calcium (21%), but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate. It is acidic based, and may be taken at any time in the day, even on an empty stomach! If you are taking acid blockers for indigestion, acid reflux or other intestinal conditions, calcium citrate may be your best option from an absorption point of view.

Calcium Phosphate is rarely recommended. Although some types of calcium phosphate contain high levels of elemental calcium, the average diet already contains too much phosphorous from processed foods.

Calcium Lactate and Calcium Gluconate are both usually well absorbed, but they have a very low rate of elemental calcium (13% and 9% respectively). Calcium Lactate is derived from lactic acid and should not be a problem for milk allergies or lactose intolerance.

Coral & Chelated Calcium are overpriced and over-hyped calcium supplements. They supply no known advantages over any of the calcium compounds noted above. It is best to avoid supplements that contain Dolomite, Bone Meal, or Oyster Shell. These products may be contaminated with lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.

SO WHAT IS THIS ELEMENTAL CALCIUM?

Several different calcium compounds are utilized in supplements, such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and calcium citrate. The elemental calcium represents the actual amount or percentage of calcium in the compound. It is important that you read the labels of calcium supplements to verify the amount of elemental calcium available. How does one do this? Simple! On the nutrition/supplement facts label a % of daily value is listed. This is based upon a 1000mg recommended daily value for calcium. Thus a supplement with a 25% daily value for calcium has 250mg of elemental calcium. Also, be sure to note the serving size, that is the number of tablets, pills, etc. you must take in order to obtain that level of elemental calcium. If you choose to supplement, do not consume more than 2500mg of elemental calcium daily (diet and supplements combined)!

ISNT THIS STUFF REGULATED?

Calcium supplements are not currently regulated by the FDA. However, when selecting a calcium supplement check the label for the initials USP. This is a guarantee that the product meets with the U.S. Pharmacopeias voluntary standards for quality, purity (lead content), and tablet disintegration. Since the application for the USP symbol is completely voluntary, some excellent brands may not display it, just to complicate matters a bit. In Canada, specific standards have been created for lead content, quality, and tablet disintegration. Products with a DIN (Drug Identification Number) or GP (General Product) number have met with these standards. If you want more confidence in your vitamins and minerals, check out www.ConsumerLab.com. They test and report on various brands and types of supplements.

ABSORPTION INSURANCE

The body will easily absorb most brand name calcium products. However, if in doubt check for the USP symbol, or try a simple test on a sample tablet. Place it into a glass of warm water or clear vinegar. Stir occasionally. If the tablet dissolves within 30 minutes, then the supplement will most likely dissolve in your stomach as well. Chewable and liquid calcium supplements are a good alternative to ensure proper absorption. As a rule of thumb, calcium, whether from diet or supplements, is best absorbed when consumed throughout the day in increments of less than 500mg.

BEWARE OF INTERACTIONS

If you are taking any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding calcium supplements into the mix. Calcium has been shown to interfere with the absorption of iron supplements, Synthroid for hypothyroidism, bisphosphonate medication for osteoporosis (i.e. Fosamax or Didrocal), and certain antibiotics such as tetracycline. A window of 2 hours or more between the medication and calcium supplementation should prevent an interaction.

OTHER BONE BUILDERS

Calcium supplements are found in varying combinations, often with added vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and Vitamin D. For most healthy individuals, additional supplements of magnesium are not required. Magnesium is abundant in vegetables and nuts, and our daily requirements can be met with that good old 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. Those who believe they may have a magnesium deficiency due to illness should consult a physician. On a different note, sunscreen, age, and increasing indoor activities are depleting the levels of Vitamin D we as humans are producing. This is prompting more recommendations for Vitamin D supplementation. You may opt to take Calcium supplements with Vitamin D, which is great, but not an absolute must. Although Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, it is taken in and stored in a unique way and at a different rate than calcium.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Ignore the sales pitches and consumer hype when purchasing calcium supplements. The least expensive and most basic brands of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate will typically do the trick!

Go Dairy Free (2005) – http://www.godairyfree.org/guide/calcium/calciumsupplements.aspx

Our Mission To enhance the lives of millions of people To offer real world strategies and guides for living dairy free To educate the population on the benefits of a dairy-free diet To promote dairy free alternatives To encourage healthy dietary habits

GoDairyFree.org was written and published by Superstar Life, Inc., a company centered on life management, growth, and enhancement. If you have any questions, or would like to submit a testimonial, recipes, or useful information, please email info@godairyfree.org

Author: Alisa Fleming
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Multi-cooker

Let me first start off by saying that the term anti aging is a misnomer of sorts. The grim fact is that we will all age and eventually die. Not one of us is immortal. The good news is that we can prolong our lives and avoid disease by making a conscious effort to take care of ourselves. Prevention is key when it comes to anti-aging.

Many people are still looking for that perfect cream or pill that will make them look younger. The fact is that its most important to take care of whats on the inside before you will see external results. What you put into your body is a reflection of what you see on the outside. The path to healthy aging (or antiaging) takes dedication and a conscious effort. Nobody is perfect we all have our vices those things that we just love and feel must be included in our lives, be it lying out in the sun, drinking that morning cup of coffee, or the occasional sweet indulgence. The key is moderation. Dont deprive yourself of that which you love because you will only be likely to over-do it next time you are tempted.

Think about the things you put into your body every day: the things you eat and drink, the stress you put upon yourself, the exercises you do, the exposure you give your skin to harmful UV rays and cigarette smoke, and the time you take to let yourself relax.

By making a conscious effort to cut down and possibly eliminate those things that are dragging our health into the gutter, we will live happier, healthier, more youthful and productive lives. You can start small and work your way up to a healthier lifestyle. When you start seeing the benefits of your efforts, you will be more motivated to stick with your plan and implement more healthy changes.

Here are some basics to look at. You may already be doing some or even all of these things if so; you are on the right track! If not congratulations for making a conscious effort to start living a healthier life. Remember, start small with one or two items a month and keep adding more as you go:

1) Drink water. Many people dont realize that they actually drink more calories than they eat. Soft drinks and juices can pack on the pounds and make you feel sluggish. On the contrary, water will make you feel more energized and can also suppress your appetite between meals. If you are trying to loose weight or increase energy then water is your friend. Your skin will thank you, too.

2) If you smoke quit. Be hard on yourself about this one. We all know that smoking is linked to cancer and a host of other health problems. You must win this battle or all of your other efforts will be in vain.

3) Exercise at least 20 minutes every day. Even if you have to get up at 5 a.m. to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Fit it into your schedule somewhere. You will find that you have more energy and your body will begin to show the effects of your efforts. The key is to stick with it even when you dont feel like it the results dont come for free.

4) Eat more veggies. Vegetables (and fruits) are a wonderful source of age-fighting antioxidants. To get the best health benefits, eat a range of colors. Get your greens, reds, yellows, and purples every day. Some good choices are spinach, tomatoes, carrots, and blueberries. Not only will you be getting your antioxidants, but you will also be adding more fiber to your diet.

5) Limit your time in the sun. Always use SPF 15 or higher when you know you will be out in the sun. Damage from the sun will cause your skin to look older, faster. If you really enjoy that bronze look, try a self tanner. You will get the look of a tan without the harmful UV exposure.

6) Take time for yourself. The world can be a stressful place. Stress that is built up in your body can cause you to age quicker. Take time to meditate, read a book, or get a massage at lease once a week, if not more.

These six tips for antiaging may seem simple, but if you actually implement them into your lifestyle, you will see positive changes in your health, mood and looks. Your body will thank you in many ways and you will be able to live a more youthful, more active life well into old age.

Stacy Tabb is a successful publisher of many informative websites including http://www.aa-antiaging.com

Author: Tabb Stacy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com