Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Men benefit from Soy Isoflavones as well as Women

Whilst the estrogen-like plant chemicals found in soy isoflavones have a vast amount of well-known benefits for women, new research has that soy isoflavones have significant benefits for men too, notably in the form of a reduction in the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Many of the health benefits of soybeans are found in the isoflavones, which have been found in several studies to be effective in the treatment and prevention of many health conditions including breast cancer, heart disease, due to their ability to reduce cholesterol, and particularly menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Soy isoflavones are one of a group of plant chemicals, best known as phytoestrogens and have impressive abilities which can help to balance estrogen in the body.

Their effectiveness in treating conditions of excess estrogen, such as premestrual syndrome, is derived from the isoflavones’ ability to block receptor sites, whilst in conditions of estrogen deficiency, such as osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, soy isoflavones can increase estrogen activity by acting as a weak estrogen.

Nonetheless, a new study published by the British Journal of Nutrition suggests the efficacy of soy isoflavones in the treatment and prevention of BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Whilst unpleasant, BPH is a common ailment affecting the prostate of many ageing men which can exhibit various symptoms including trouble starting or maintaining urination, the need to urinate more often, urine leaks or the need to go during the night. Whilst it is thought to be testosterone that is responsible for the changes that cause to prostate to enlarge and put pressure on the urethra, the new study has found that estrogen also plays a key role.

The study into the effects of soy isoflavones on the symptoms of BPH was carried out on men aged 65 and over and found that those with an intake of at least 5 mg of isoflavones, had fewer urinary tract symptoms than those who did not. The researchers suggested that although 5mg is relatively low, it did have a positive effect and emphasises the fact that although low levels of soy isoflavones may be acquired from the diet, a daily natural supplement can significantly help to ensure optimum levels of the beneficial isoflavones to achieve the advantages of reduced BPH symptoms, helping to slow and even prevent prostate cancer growth.

www.simplysupplements.co.uk

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

‘BEAT THOSE WINTER BLUES WITH COD LIVER OIL’

Cod Liver can help to prevent Depression

Cod Liver Oil has long been recommended as part of a healthy diet and has been renowned for many years for its ability to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and supple joints. Now research has found that a daily supplement of Cod Liver Oil can help to put a smile on our faces with its impressive properties that can help to fight and prevent depression.


What is Cod Liver Oil?

Cod Liver Oil is a beneficial fish oil which contains large amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega 3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA can be found naturally in fish such as mackerel, salmon and tuna. These particular omega 3 fatty acids are significantly different to those found in flaxseed and vegetable oils, as they keep the blood healthy whilst helping to prevent it from clotting too quickly. It is these properties that promote a healthy cardiovascular system, good circulation and optimum joint mobility.

Although EPA and DHA essential fatty acids have more commonly been renowned for their significant role in the maintenance of a healthy heart, recent research has sparked new and extensive media attention surrounding the well-known supplement due to its potential anti-depressant properties.


What does Research say?

The new results of the recent research have revealed that the levels of omega-3 fatty acids are significantly lower in people who suffer from depression in comparison to those who are not depressed. These findings suggest that eating oily fish and taking a daily supplement of fish oil can result in considerably positive effects in helping to relieve depression.

The latest claims uncovered the impressive anti-depressive properties of Cod Liver Oil, with a daily supplement of the fish oil potentially reducing the risk of depression by as much as 30%. Alongside the many other general health benefits of taking a daily supplement of Cod Liver Oil, it may not come as a surprise that healthier people are also less depressed. Nonetheless, the new research emphasizes the potential of natural dietary supplements in the prevention and treatment of everyday problems, including depression.

High quality, high strength Cod Liver Oil 1000mg is available in a convenient 1-a-day capsule from Simply Supplements (www.simplysupplements.co.uk) (Buy One Get One Free, £9.95).

www.simplysupplements.co.uk

Selenium Maintains the Strength of Aging Muscles

According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, low selenium levels in older people are often related to muscle weakness.

What is Selenium?

As a trace mineral, Selenium is well known for its antioxidant properties which are responsible for its antiviral and anticancer abilities. Many foods are rich in selenium, including meat, fish, Brazil nuts and garlic; however the amount of Selenium within these foods depends upon the environment and soil within which they were grown. A deficiency in Selenium is common in areas where the soil is considered to be ‘selenium-poor’. Due to intensive farming in the UK, Britain’s soil is classed as being ‘selenium-poor’ as the mineral is tripped from the soil. Therefore, in the UK it is difficult for us to get essential levels of Selenium from the food we eat, making a natural supplement of the mineral increasingly important.

Selenium’s antioxidant properties play a key role in protecting muscles from oxidative damage, which is one of the main causes for the loss of strength that many people feel as they age. A deficiency in Selenium can cause damage to not only the heart and skeletal muscles, but can also lead to visible signs of skin aging such as lines and wrinkles.

What does Research say?

A new study into the benefits of Selenium in promoting strength within aging muscles was based on approximately 900 men and women aged 65 years or older. The study investigated their blood selenium levels and assessed their muscle strength in terms of hip and knee mobility and hand grip.

It was noted that 30% of the participants had a significant lack of Selenium in their blood and so the participants were separated into groups depending on their Selenium levels. Those with the highest levels of Selenium had the greatest upper and lower body strength and performed considerably better when researchers assessed their hip, knee and hand reflexes. Those with the lowest levels of Selenium had twice as much of a chance as those in the highest level groups of being in the lowest group for muscle strength.

As a consequence, researchers have claimed that this study has been revolutionary in its suggestions that Selenium can improve muscle strength in older people. Researchers have even suggested so far as to say that low levels of selenium and low muscle strength significantly reduced the chance of survival in older people, linking both low selenium levels and muscle weakness to increased chance of mortality.

The recommended daily allowance of Selenium is between 50-200 mcg per day, with many multivitamin blends containing small amounts of Selenium that can contribute towards this.

www.simplysupplements.co.uk

US Government trials finish first phase of trials on Glucosamine and Chondroitin

The first ever large scale clinical trial on the effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, conducted by the US government has now finished the first phase results. This multi-centre clinical trial was conducted after the controversy in medical literature on how effective Glucosamine and Chondroitin were at treating osteoarthritis.

The US government help to fund the trial, that’s purpose was to see how effective Glucosamine and Chondroitin were at treating knee osteoarthritis, either taken together or separately. The first phase of this trial which was coordinated by the University of Utah School of medicine, and situated across 16 different rheumatology research centres across the united States, has shown positive results.

The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) funded the Glucosamine Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT).

This $12.5 million trial was a double blind trial, which means that neither the participants nor researchers knew which treatment group they were in or researching. This way of conducting the trial was the most appropriate way to try and gain unbiased results.

www.simplysupplements.co.uk

Taking your vitamins properly does matter

Everyone knows that making sure we get the right amount of vitamins and minerals each day is important for good health. Everyone also knows that very few of us have diets which can provide us with this daily amount of vitamins, so some of us take supplements to make up for this. Vitamin supplements are a great way to make sure you get your RDA (recommended daily allowance), but did you know that if you do not take them correctly then they will most likely not work?

Scientific studies have shown that if vitamins are taken at different times every day and missed on odd days here and there, they will not actually work to their full potential. It is important to take them properly because if not then they can actually just be flushed straight through the body, and not be absorbed.

There are some factors which can reduce the chance of vitamins being absorbed. Making sure you drink enough water when swallowing vitamins will make sure that they are flushed properly into your stomach, where they can be properly absorbed by the body. Drinking coffee 15 minutes before or after taking vitamins can also have an effect on the absorption of the vitamins. Also taking vitamins with hot or chilled drinks can cause the vitamins to not dissolve properly when swallowed.

Vitamins should be treated like any other form of supplement or medication, and be taken by the instructions on the pot. Just like other medication, if taken wrong they won’t work, and also if taken in excess they can cause side effects.

Canadian researchers found in trials that the people who took their vitamins and even their placebo pills correctly benefited greatly compared to those who missed pills or took them incorrectly. Some trials assessing drugs intake found that those who took them properly had 44% fewer deaths then the ones who took them properly. This was not only present in the participants taking the drug, but also in the participants taking the placebo pills! This is the same for vitamins those who take them properly benefit greatly compared to those who do not take them correctly.

Vitamins are essential for the body to function properly. They help to keep the heart and immune system healthy, as well as nearly every other part of the body. Vitamins cannot be produced by the body (with some exceptions such as vitamin D) so must be obtained through our diet or supplements. Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed with fat into the intestines and circulation. Whilst water soluble vitamins are only stored in the body for a short time then are excreted to the kidneys, hence why they should be taken correctly to make sure they are absorbed by our body.

Water soluble vitamins are more likely to not be absorbed properly if taken incorrectly. They are easily lost and flushed through the system without being absorbed into the bloodstream or intestines. Vitamin C and Vitamin B are water soluble vitamins and need to be taken daily as they will not be stored in the body for more then a day.

So next time you are taking your vitamins, or when you buy them, take a minute to sit down and read through the directions properly. If you have noticed that your vitamins are not working as well as you would like them too then try taking them as directed before assuming they are not working, you will be surprised of the difference it could make. Being strict with your intake of vitamins can make a big difference to your life, and help you in ways you never thought they would before!

www.simplysupplements.co.uk

Tackling weight loss the natural way

It is now known that Britain is slowly becoming an obese nation. Not only are we increasing our waistlines but we also are increasingly willing to go to desperate measures to lose the pounds such as having weight loss surgery. The Government is increasingly giving us warnings of the risks associated with obesity such as an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, Cancer, and diabetes.

Obesity occurs when we do not obtain the right balanced diet and the right amount of exercise in our day to day lives. Many people believe that obesity isn’t a medical condition, but how can it not be when you are at risk from conditions such as heart disease? Obesity is a killer, and the UK doesn’t seem to be taking its weight problem seriously.

The Telegraph reported that a new diet pill can apparently tackle obesity, and has health campaigners claiming it’s a breakthrough in our obesity crisis. This new one a day pill helps to stop food cravings that usually cause people to over eat. But are drugs the way to help stop obesity in the UK? This new ‘wonder pill’ apparently does exactly the same as natural supplements can do so why aren’t we trying them?

A study in the Journal of Public Health noted that weight loss surgery rose by 600 per cent in America between 1998 and 2002. Is this what will happen to Britain? And do we need to go to these lengths to achieve our ideal weight?

There is anther way to lose weight and this is by taking natural supplements. Many people tend to be sceptical about natural remedies to help with health issues such as losing weight, but surprisingly these natural herbs and minerals have had many clinical trials completed on them. These trials have proven their effectiveness at helping people to lose weight, and the best bit is, that they are completely natural, and usually hold very little or no side effects.

Hoodia Cactus is one of the most popular supplements to have hit the shelves for weight loss. It could help you to avoid the diets which can be not only hard to keep up, but also dangerous for your body, as well as risking life threatening surgery. Trials have shown that the Hoodia Cactus has the ability to fool the brain into thinking it is full; this then stops your hunger cravings. Many trials have shown how effective Hoodia can be, it has shown to decrease calorie intake by up to 2000 calories in obese people. Also it has been used to stop hunger cravings by the San Bushmen for centuries.

There is also many other natural supplements which can help such as, Grapefruit Pectin, CLA, Lecithin, Phase 2, and Apple cider vinegar. Trials have suggested that these too can also help you to lose weight. People who have tried everything should consider trying natural supplements, before considering drastic methods such as surgery, as trials suggest that most people will benefit from them greatly. To help you look good this summer natural supplements are the way to go, with no hard diets to stick by, and no risky surgery to go through.

www.simplysupplements.co.uk

Omega 3 makes sure your children have it in their diet

The sheer amount of media attention surrounding fish oil for kids has highlighted how important it is for us to make sure our children have it in their diets. So could fish oil really help our kids? And what exactly does it help to achieve?

The Daily Mail was one of many newspapers to cover the results of trials which have been conducted on kids and fish oil. Theses trials showed significantly beneficial results in helping children who suffer from hyperactivity. These new studies, from the University of Adelaide in Australia, have shown significant improvement in children, such as improved concentration, and brainpower.

Half of a group of seven to twelve year olds with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were given fish oils, while the other half were given placebo pills. There was shown improvement after three months in the children taking the fish oil capsules. They showed improvement in their school work and concentration, as well as reduced restlessness. There was a 30 to 40 percent improvement in children over 15 weeks, and after 30 weeks improvement was noted in up to 50 per cent of the children.

This trial and others have sparked off extensive media coverage on fish oils, and not only on its general health benefits, but also how it can help kids with hyperactivity disorders. Drugs such as Ritalin are quite often prescribed to children suffering from these disorders. These drugs often carry dangerous side effects, such as heart problems and even strokes. The Daily Mail reported that around 330,000 prescriptions for these drugs are written out each year in the UK for children with hyperactivity. This is a staggering amount and is rising each year, so could fish oils be the answer?

Studies that have been conducted so far do seem to suggest that taking supplements of fish oils such as Omega 3 could be an alternative to taking these drugs. The attraction of fish oils is that they carry no known side effects, and are a natural alternative for children. Many parents are more attracted to the hope of fish oils to help their children, as they are much safer with less or no side effects, and could have the same affect on helping to treat symptoms associated with ADHD, and other similar conditions.

Drugs such as Ritalin have caused the deaths of nine British children, and caused strokes, swelling of the brain, and heart attacks in others the Daily Mail reported. This reason alone is why many parents are now willing to try fish oils to help their children, instead of putting their child at risk with drugs such as Ritalin.

Omega 3 is not only beneficial to children with ADHD, but also for every other child. Omega 3 contains two essential fatty acids called EPA and DHA which are important for the body to keep healthy. They help to keep the heart and cardiovascular system healthy but they also help to boost brainpower. They have also shown in trials to help aid concentration, and even help to improve intelligence.

Clinical trials have shown that fish oils are just as important for children as well for adults, to keep healthy. Omega 3’s essential fatty acids EPA and DHA can not be made by the body so have to be obtained through diet or supplementation.

http://www.simplysupplements.co.uk

Omega 3 and its importance within the diet




Everybody knows that Omega 3 fats are important to keep healthy, due to its increasing media coverage in the recent months. But exactly how does it help? And what does it help in particular? We need to first understand what Omega 3 actually is. It is an oil found in cold water fish such as mackerel and salmon. This oil contains two essential fatty acids called EPA and DHA. These two acids are extremely important for the body to stay healthy, but it cannot be produced by the body it has to be obtained through diet.






Unfortunately modern day diets often don’t mean we obtain enough of Omega 3, and therefore many of us can become deficient in this oil. People such as the Eskimos of Greenland had a diet high in Omega 3 fats due to their diet of fish and seal. This effectively showed Omega 3’s effect as the Eskimos suffered far less from cardiovascular diseases compared to the rest of the world.

Unlike most fats which are bad for your health, scientists are now stating that Omega 3 which is a ‘good’ fat is actually needed for good health! Omega 3 is beneficial to almost every part of your body. Its two acids EPA and DHA are the two ingredients which help to keep the body healthy. They are both polyunsaturated fats which contain double bonds, which play an important role in the body’s functions.

So what parts of the body does Omega 3 actually help with, and how?

The Brain

Omega 3 fatty acids have been known to improve brain power, and more recently improve brain power in children. It is believed that the Omega 3 fatty acids make it easier for signals sent from the cells in the brain to pass over to one anther more easily. When these signals are passed over more easily then they are more likely to work efficiently and to their full potential, which then increases brainpower.

Not only can Omega 3 help to increase brain power, but it can also help with treating depression and bipolar disorder. As the brain has many different fatty acids in it, Omega 3 is thought to help maintain some of the acids it needs to stay alert.


The Heart

Omega 3 has long been promoted for its properties to help the cardiovascular system especially the heart. Omega 3 possesses the ability to lower the triglyceride levels in the blood which have been known to cause blockages and stickiness in the blood causing heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks.

The blood flow can be restored to normal which allows essential nutrients that the heart needs to flow freely in to the heart. Omega 3 can help both people with healthy heart to keep staying healthy, and people who are at risk from cardiovascular diseases.


The Lungs

Omega 3 has shown in some clinical trials to also be effective at helping some conditions of the lungs. Results from various trials have suggested that Omega 3 can help to ease Asthma and some allergy symptoms. It has shown to have some anti-inflammatory properties which are mainly the cause of symptoms in Asthma and other allergies.


The Skin

Omega 3 fatty acids can also be beneficial for the skin. These fatty acids don’t only act as a waterproofing layer for the skin working from the inside out, but they can also help to hydrate the skin and to help ease the skin symptoms which are caused by allergies.

Some studies have suggested that Omega 3 could make the skin look more hydrated and less dull and lifeless. There have also been some trials which have suggested that Omega 3 fatty acids can be useful in helping to treat acne in some people.


Fertility

Omega 3 fatty acids have also been linked to healthy pregnancies and babies. This is because in trials with pregnant women taking Omega 3 supplements showed that they carried their babies for longer and also had a reduced risk of problems such as any physical and neurological problems, which are linked to premature births. Fish oil is also very important for a child’s brain development, and when taken through pregnancy can give a baby the best start in life.

Fish oils also have the ability to reduce the risk of two pregnancy conditions called, pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. The EPA and DHA found in Omega 3 can help to keep insulin levels, and ‘bad’ eicosanoids levels correct which cause these two conditions.


The Joints

Omega 3 is probably most noted for its cardiovascular effects and joint effects. Omega 3 has been researched in many clinical trials which have mostly concentrated on its effects in helping to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but it can help other joint problems such as arthritis and osteoarthritis. It helps to improve joint flexibility by lubricating the joints.

The fatty acids in Omega 3 have shown to possess anti-inflammatory qualities, which can help many common joint problems as most of them tend to cause the joints to inflame and become sore. They also help to reduce the enzymes that destroy healthy cartilage in the joints. Omega 3 has also shown to increase calcium levels in the body helping calcium to be absorbed more effectively. This increased absorption of calcium can help to keep the bones strong and healthy.


Circulation

Omega 3’s ability to help relieve the ‘stickiness’ that can be found in the blood, which not only causes cardiovascular problems but also stops the blood from flowing freely around the body, is one of its most researched properties. It can therefore help circulation problems, allowing the blood to flow to the extremities where it can be blocked from sometimes due to the ‘stickiness’.

Omega 3 not only helps circulation problems but also can help people with no circulation conditions to help keep their circulation healthy and flowing properly।

http://www.simplysupplements.co.uk/

Relieve those aches and pains during the colder months with a Rosehip extract

A natural herbal supplement of Rosehip has recently been found to significantly alleviate aches and pains, whether they are seasonal or a result of a strain, minor injury or even arthritis.

Aches and pains are a common ailment and often the reduction in mobility associated with such joint stiffness is topically treated with conventional pain killers. However, whilst over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief, they do not contain any properties which may help to reduce and prevent pain through the repair and maintenance of tendons, muscles and cartilage which are often the root of the problem.

Glucosamine is one of the most widely used natural supplements due to its impressively positive results in preventing and treating joint pain, swelling and immobility. As well as repairing worn cartilage, Glucosamine is renowned for its producing capabilities and for this reason provides outstanding support in rebuilding worn muscles, tendons and cartilage whilst promoting healthy joint function.

Nonetheless, whilst Rosehip has been traditionally known for its high content of Vitamin C and therefore its effectiveness in preventing and treating colds and asthma, recent research has revealed positive results for the anti-inflammatory properties within Rosehip extracts.

The Danish study has suggested that a natural rosehip supplement can noticeably alleviate the joint pains that are typical of Arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of rosehip found male and female arthritic hip, knee and hand patients experiencing an 82% reduction in pain after just 3 weeks of taking a rosehip supplement. The study also concluded that individuals who suffer from arthritis need less than half as many traditional painkillers, such as ibuprofen, when taking a natural rosehip supplement.

The results of this new study emphasise the effectiveness of natural dietary supplements and the key role that they can potentially play in the prevention and treatment of aches and pains, which are all too often exacerbated by the colder weather that we experience during the winter months.

So, if you suffer from the constant discomfort of aching joints and the pain caused by muscle tension then perhaps you should try a dietary supplement to naturally alleviate the pain and help to maintain healthy muscles and joints. Super strength Rosehip 2000mg (Buy One Get One Free, 120 tablets for the price of 60, £9.99) and Glucosamine Sulphate 1000mg (Buy One Get One Free, 120 tablets for the price of 60, £3.99) are both available from www.simplysupplements.co.uk to help repair damaged tissues and ease the pain.