Vitamin E is an amazingly strong and renowned antioxidant, which has been recognized for many years for its abilities to ward off certain types of cancers. As well as keep the skin looking young and radiant. The term Vitamin E is used as an umbrella term to cover eight different fat soluble antioxidants; these eight different antioxidants can be further broken down into to two different categories Tocotrienols and Tocopherols. Tocopherol, more specifically D-Alpha Tocopherol, is what you are taking when you take a vitamin E supplement that you purchase at the local drug store. This is by far, and without debate, the most powerful of the eight antioxidants included in the group. However, that is not to say that the other seven powerful antioxidants are useless, they too possess a healthy benefit.

To start, let’s explore the benefits of the more popular Tocopherol.

Tocopherol:

Likely the most widely known benefit of Tocopherol is its amazing ability to protect cells from UV damage. This protection is the very reason why the greater majority of skin care products contain the ingredient Tocopherol. Another amazing ability of Tocopherol is of course the antioxidant activity, it has the ability to pass through the body and collect and destroy dangerous free radicals. In numerous studies tocopherol has shown promising results in preventing prostate and bladder cancer, as well as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. While supplementing is the best way to ensure you get a complete dose of vitamin E daily, there are certain foods that are rich in the vitamin such as green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, wheat germ, whole grains, and various vegetable oils.

Now, let’s explore the equally beneficial but less widely known Tocotrienol.

Tocotrienol:

Tocotrienol is less popular than its family member above. However, popularity has nothing to do with effectiveness and results. While there have been far less studies conducted on tocotrienol, there have been many, and the results are amazing. Researchers on the other hand, are still hesitant to stamp the supplement as a powerful antioxidant, even though the studies that have been conducted shown great results. This hesitation is only due to the fact there haven’t been hundreds of studies performed. But, in that same hand, these same researchers do admit that the supplement has shown anti-carcinogenic properties, as well as lowing cholesterol, and regulating the immune system. While these researchers won’t publicly say that the supplement is a powerful antioxidant, they have made the results of their studies known, and the studies speak for themselves. One study showed an 8% reduction in total cholesterol, while another showed that the antioxidant prevented blood clots and atherosclerosis.

Taking a vitamin E supplement (tocopherol) is a great way to keep your skin looking healthy and young, not to mention the ability it has inside your body as a powerful antioxidant. However, combining the two will give you complete protection and a well balanced mixture of these two completely essential antioxidants. There is a supplement that combines these two amazing antioxidants for an all in one formula that is unbeatable, this supplement is called Tocotrienol Complex with Alpha Tocopherol. For more information on this and all other antioxidants please visit N101.com.

Meal replacement shakes, bars, and drinks no new fad in our busy society. Whether they meant for weight loss or as a nutritional supplement these popular meal substitutes are gaining ground. There are supplemental drinks for the young and the elderly to replace either lost or lacking nutrition, as well as dieters or hard training athletes. These drinks are specially formulated for the intended group, for instance you would not give a toddler a supplemental drink intended for an elderly person, as the nutritional values are different among these groups. This is also true for the specialty drinks that are intended for athletes and dieters. Drinking a regular supplement drink may not be the best idea for a dieter because many of these drinks are intended to replace lost calories or build mass.

However, drinking a regular, or dieters supplement drink for an athlete can prove dangerous and counter productive. The problem is that many of these supplement drinks, while they are filling, lack the nutritional value needed to actually replace a meal, especially the nutritional value of an athlete! This lack of nutrition leaves the body starving, and this nutritional starvation can lead to blood sugar highs and lows that cause cravings and result in poor diet choices, not to mention muscle injuries due to insufficient nutrients. These poor diet choices have a negative impact on the body, and your goal whether it is losing weight or building muscle. Finding a good meal replacement shake that actually supplies the active body with a good source of whole food nutrition can prove to be a difficult task… until now.

There is a meal replacement shake that was specifically formulated for the active, hard training body of an athlete called Labarda Lean Body Instant Breakfast Shake. As an athlete you obviously need more vitamins and minerals than your average everyday person, to avoid injury and sustain energy. But, it is also important that these nutrients come from a good whole food source to prevent unwanted fat. The company states that one easy to prepare shake contains “more concentrated muscle-building, fat-burning nutrition than 10 scrambled egg whites, a bowl of oatmeal, and a handful of vitamins.” Amazing!

Lets look a little closer at the actual whole food ingredients in the shake.

40/45/15 (carbohydrate/protein/fat) ratio of macronutrients: Specially formulated to give you long lasting energy in a bio-available.

Blend of time-release proteins: This LeanPro blend gives you a flow of vital amino acids. Amino acids support intracellular nitrogen retention levels for faster muscle growth and strength increases.

Over 9,000 mg of BCAAs: Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAS) that prevent muscle tissue breakdown.

10,000 mg of Glutamine & Glutamic Acid To prevent muscle breakdown.

35 grams of Whole Food Carbohydrates: These all natural whole carbs are slow releasing natural grains: brown rice, oats, and rice bran. They stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels, to promote greater energy and fat burning.

7 grams of natural dietary fiber

Fructooligosaccharides: Are pre-biotics to promotes a healthy and happy digestive system.

Contains Omega-6 fatty acids

6:1 ratio of potassium to sodium: This helps support ideal electrolyte and fluid balance.

Excellent source of 24 vitamins and minerals

On top of all this, this meal replacement shake fits perfectly in the life of any busy hard training athlete, because it is an instantaneous breakfast. Simply mix the powder with water, or skim milk, as you are running out the door, and drink it in the car on your way to the gym. This shake is a great way to help your body reach your desired limits and stay healthy in the process.

Supporting joint and cartilage health is of the utmost importance to help prevent certain mid-life conditions such as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis among older individuals, and is generally caused by wear and tear on the joints over the years. Our joints are made up of bones, ligaments, and cartilage; after years of bending, kneeling, and generally supporting the full weight of the body these components become weak and wore down. All of this wearing and tearing leads to the painful inflammatory condition known as arthritis, and while there are hundreds of arthritic conditions that joint supplements can help, osteoarthritis is the most common among aging individuals.

The common components in joint health supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin. These two components contain molecules similar to those found in the bodies own natural cartilage. The idea is that replacing this lost or damaged cartilage will repair the past insults to the tissue, and thus prevent any further damage to the joint. As with any type of supplement prevention is ideal, because preventing damage is much easier than correcting it. However, looking for a good joint health supplement is so much more than taking straight glucosamine and chondroitin. There are some other ingredients that your joints can benefit greatly from, and finding an all in one formula will save you a lot of pain and aggravation. Here are some key ingredients to look for:

Omega 3 and 6 Essential Fatty Acids These ingredients are a very good addition to the formula because of their ability to lubricate the joint and allow it to move with ease. These two fatty acids are also an excellent way to reduce the painful symptoms and reduce swelling in the joint.

Niacin, Folic acid, and Vitamin B12 Have shown the ability to reduce inflammation as well as relieve pain in the joint.

Vitamin E Studies have suggested that vitamin E is useful at preventing cartilage loss.

Manganese Helps build healthy bone structure and joints.

MSM Reduces the symptoms that accompany joint wear and tear.

Stinging Nettle Extract Is molecularly similar to aspirin, this herb is also an excellent way to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Indian Frankincense Extract Is widely used as an anti-inflammatory herb for many different conditions.

Of course all joint health supplements need to contain the key ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin. But, taking an all in one joint supplement that contains the ingredients above will give your joints the TLC they need to heal and become less painful. On top of all this the supplement needs to be bio-available; this simply means that the supplement needs to be friendly to the body and easily absorbed rather than taken and quickly excreted. Making sure that your all in one formula is bio-available ensures that the body receives the benefits of the supplement, and that you are not simply wasting your time and money. You can find this amazing all in one formula at N101.com

It is extremely important for everyone to take their daily vitamins and supplements. However, if you push your body to its limits daily, or even several times a week with high impact exercises or sports, taking a supplement to keep your body in tip top shape is of the utmost importance to ensure it doesn’t get run down. Athletes in general burn more calories, and use more of the vital nutrients, minerals, and vitamins than your typical office worker. Fact is the more active you are, the more energy your body uses, the more supplements you need to take to replace these lost nutrients. It is also important for an athlete to eat a higher calorie diet than a regular person because they do burn more calories during their vigorous workouts. Keeping your body “fed” with not only food, but supplements is extremely important to avoid injury.

Another very important issue that athletes must focus on is endurance. It is important, especially if you play competitive sports, that you take a supplement to help with endurance. Improving endurance is key to becoming the best in your sport, but making sure your body is equipped to be pushed to such limits should be your number one concern. There are several vitamins and nutrients that your body needs to reach these limits and remain healthy free of muscle cramps, tears, and extreme pain. Also, when you place this type of strain and stress on the body it uses more of these vital nutrients than it normally would. That said; let me express the importance of taking a supplement that is able to keep up with your healthy, super active lifestyle. As previously stated, normal multivitamins may not cut it for an athlete, because you need more vitamins and nutrients than the average everyday person. Ensuring that you get enough of these completely essential vitamins is equally as important as taking them.

Be sure to buy a supplement that is specifically designed for an athlete, or specifically designed to help with endurance. A very good supplement would combine the two of these things together to create the ultimate supplement for an athlete. MultiV is an excellent example of a supplement formulated to meet all the needs of an athlete. It is a multi vitamin that has clinically tested ingredients that have been shown to improve endurance and fight free radicals that can slow your progress. This particular multi-vitamin includes vitamins, minerals, and herbs that have been specifically chosen to aid the body of an athlete. Not only does MultiV improve endurance by adding an enzyme blend to the formula that has been clinically shown to improve carbohydrate utilization, therefore prolonging time before exhaustion. But, it also increases your antioxidants to fight free radicals, and it also helps improve circulation to the muscles. MultiV is one of the very best athlete specific multivitamin you can add to their daily regimen.

Now days it seems as if everyone is talking about digestive health. With all the commercials on the television and ads in popular magazines, the point that your digestion is a crucial part of everyday life has already been made. But, other than the fact that popular actresses tell you to take a certain enzyme, or eat a certain type of yogurt, do you really know why keeping your digestive system healthy is so very important to everything, even your immune system? In this article we will cover the who, what, why, and how probiotics affects your digestive system. After learning a little more about probiotics, and fully understanding that it is not just about staying regular, I have no doubt in my mind that you will definitely see the need for these essential good bacteria.

Let’s get started as there is much to cover!

Our digestive system is full of bacteria, good and bad, the goal is to lower the bad and raise the good. However, our modern society is completely and utterly addicted to sugars which feed the bad bacteria in our body, and cause it to multiply at alarming rates. With all these bad bacteria running wild in our digestive system, the completely essential good bacteria is over whelmed and loses the war of good vs bad. When the bad bacteria takes over you will begin to experience serious gastrointestinal problems such as gas, bloating, constipation, cramps, or diarrhea just to name a few. Also a deficiency in the good flora, aka bacteria, will lead to sickness, bad skin, weight gain, and much more.

Our digestive system, or gut as some people like to call it, is a giant immune defender… when it is functioning properly. If you think about all the germs and toxins we take in on a daily basis, especially if you eat at fast food restaurants, it makes sense that our stomach and intestines are a large part of our immune defense. If our stomach and intestines were not lined with this good bacteria, which kills the germs and toxins we ingest, we would be very sick, to say the least. Our good bacteria breaks down the germs and sends them down the line to be expelled as waste, which brings me to the next point, regularity.

While taking probiotics is great to keep you regular, it is not nearly the most important reason to take them. The TV commercials speak of regularity and strictly regularity, but the fact of the matter is that if your digestive system is off balance you will feel miserable, and your whole body and immune system will suffer. A good way to prevent all of this, stay regular, and feel great is to take a good probiotic supplement such as Megaflora Probiotic. The strains in this probiotic blend are “non combative” which means all strains are still alive and not killed off by other competing strains found in the same capsule.

Who doesn’t love the juicy sweet taste of a nice ripe red Pomegranate? I know I do, they are in my opinion, one of the most delicious health foods available. However, many people refrain from eating the juicy sweet fruit because it can be time consuming, as well as a bit tricky to eat if you have never eaten one before. Also, all that sweet juice can stain your clothes and hands if you’re not careful; that is why not too long ago someone came up with the idea to make pomegranate juice and supplements. Now we can enjoy the benefits of this delicious fruit any time or in any place, no need to worry about stains, or knifes, or anything. All you have to do is swallow a pill or drink a lovely glass of juice.

Right about now I am sure you are wondering why you should worry with either one of these things. Well, the answer to this is quite simple…it is tremendously healthy! Pomegranates possess an extremely high amount of antioxidants, and antioxidants are essential to health. As we age our bodies antioxidant supply dramatically decreases and becomes dangerously low, meanwhile the free radicals that can cause serious chaos and disease inside our body are growing at an astounding rate. Without antioxidants to battle and destroy these free radicals they simply take over, allowing us to age prematurely and even develop deadly diseases such as cancer.

Even though we receive antioxidants from a healthy diet, many of us have forgotten what exactly the word healthy means and we eat nothing but chemically altered “fat free” foods that come portion ready in a box. These types of foods are empty calories and while they might keep your weight down, they are doing little more than that. Supplementation of antioxidants is imperative, and pomegranate juice is a great, tasty way to do it. Even if you aren’t a fan of the juice taking a pomegranate supplement is a great idea because pomegranates…

• Fight diseases such as heart disease and cancer

• Lower cholesterol

• Have been linked to increased energy and weight loss

• Pomegranates are an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients

• Reduces inflammation, and keeps your skin looking young and vibrant.

These are the top five reasons to take a pomegranate supplement (such as PomGuard); there are more benefits to taking an antioxidant rich supplement such as this. To find out more about antioxidants, pomegranate supplements, or juice, please visit your one stop shop for everything nutritional, N101.com.

Garlic is known for its great taste and rich aroma. But, did you know that garlic is a great supplement to take to lower your chances of developing several diseases and common conditions? It is true; garlic has been used for thousands of years as a healing herb as well as a great tasting additive to food. Long ago they used garlic for everything, mostly because of its wide availability and great taste; ancient records have documented its use in everything from the common cold to the plague! Cure the plague it may not, but having a positive effect on the cardiovascular system it does. Doctors have become quite accustom to suggesting this particular supplement to their patients as a natural way to lower their chances of heart attack, stroke, or developing a blood clot, as well as lowering high cholesterol.

Garlic’s rich aroma is caused by a compound called allicin, this compound is also what gives garlic its healing abilities…the stronger the garlic smells the more powerful the healing powers will be. However, eating a ton of raw garlic is probably not a great idea because of its strong odor, and it can, when eaten raw and in large quantities, irritate the esophagus. This is why taking a garlic supplement is the best option; you can avoid all the strong smelling garlic breath as well as get the recommended therapeutic dosage without burning up your esophagus and stomach.

Until recently researchers were speechless about how, or why, garlic was such an amazing healing herb. As a matter of fact many of the garlic skeptics were skeptical about the herb because they didn’t have a scientific explanation as to why it worked. But, recently a brilliant chemist named Derek Pratt discovered an amazing fact about the herb; garlic destroys free radicals faster than any other antioxidant known to man… natural or synthetic. This breakthrough answers many questions that have been asked by researchers and scientists, and has also swayed the opinion of many skeptics who now have a scientific explanation for garlic’s amazing health effects.

Taking a garlic supplement is a great way to fight these free radicals and prevent damage to our cells. Preventing this damage can help avoid many of the complications of aging, as well as some serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Garlic may not be the answer to all your prayers, but it is a good start. Prevention is the number one goal with any condition and taking a garlic supplement can help prevent a vast array of these conditions.

Glucoactive is a supplement that combines several proven glucose lowering herbs and elements, such as cinnamon and chromium, to come up with a one of a kind formula that is a diabetics dream come true. Cinnamon alone has shown positive effects on blood glucose in clinical studies, when combined with these other blood sugar stabilizing herbs it is a virtual diabetes wonder supplement. Don’t misunderstand I am not suggesting that this supplement will completely cure your diabetes, everyone responds differently to treatment. While some have been able to completely discontinue their oral insulin medication, others may not respond as well. What the supplement will do for almost everyone that takes it is stabilize and help regulate your blood sugar…hopefully back into the normal range.

Let’s discuss the proprietary blend in detail:

The first ingredient is Cinnulin PF, this is simply a cinnamon bark extract. Cinnamon is great for the body on a number of levels. However, cinnamons effects really shine when used as a glucose stabilizer. In a number of clinical trials cinnamon has proven effective at lowering blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, and also promoting a natural production of insulin. Cinnamon taken by itself is a great option, for anyone, but if you have diabetes I would strongly suggest taking a cinnamon supplement or a combination supplement that contains the sweet smelling spice.

The next is Fenugreek, this herb is sometimes called the oldest medical herb, and for good reason. Fenugreek seeds are rich in protein; they possess an extremely unique amino acid called 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-OH-Ile). This particular amino acid is one of the key players in blood glucose control.

Grape Seed Extract is a wonderful all around supplement, and it is sometimes, when bought separately, quite expensive. Not only does grape seed extract help lower blood glucose levels, but it also helps to support skin and tissue health, which is a major concern for diabetics. Not to mention the fact that it also helps prevent heart disease and vascular problems…another great concern for diabetics. In general taking a grape seed supplement is a perfect way to lower your blood glucose, and prevent some common diabetic complications.

Chromium and Vanadium these two trace elements in the body have long been linked to blood glucose stabilization. Researchers are now beginning to understand that these two elements are very important to the metabolism of glucose/sugar. This in turn leads to the regulation and stabilization of over all glucose levels.

Any of these ingredients would be a great addition to a diabetic’s daily supplementation. However, when combined and packaged as an all in one formula Glucoactive is, in my opinion, the best over all diabetes supplement on the market. This supplement covers all bases of the condition from glucose control to skin health.

Narrowing down one specific mineral for the human body is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. In other words it can’t be done. The human body is reliant on a number of minerals, and each and every mineral has its own action that it must carry out, such as acting as a reactor to a certain vitamin or nutrient, or maintaining a harmonious balance within the body itself. Without minerals our body would not be able to process the majority of essential vitamins that we ingest, and these vitamins require several different reactors/minerals. Although our body depends on a number of minerals, there are some that play a larger role in our body than others.

Here are some examples of vital minerals and their actions in the body.

Calcium: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and it is extremely important. First of all calcium is essential to the development of strong bones and healthy teeth, but everyone knows that! What most people don’t know is that calcium is also a vital mineral to muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, and the secretion of hormones and enzymes, as well as playing a key role in nervous system message transmission. On top of all that calcium is needed to react with Vitamin C to aid absorption.

Iron Everyone knows that Iron is a key component to blood oxygenation. Iron allows the oxygen molecule to bind with the blood cell and transport it to the rest of the body. While iron is plentiful and readily accessible in our food, iron deficiency remains the number one mineral deficiency in the world. Iron also acts as a supporting mineral to many enzymes in the body.

Iodine Iodine is essential to the function of the thyroid gland which in turn helps to regulate and support metabolic balance. Iodine is also extremely important to the body’s connective tissues.

Magnesium Is a very busy mineral inside the body, it is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions. This little mineral plays a role in almost every vital bodily function. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Zinc Zinc is an absolute necessity to the proper function of the immune system, as well as cell division, growth, wound healing, and carbohydrate break down. Zinc is also necessary to aid in the absorption of vitamin A. Recently researchers have made a link between the development of prostate cancer and zinc deficiency.

These are simply the top five on a long list of minerals that the body needs to function properly. Luckily, there is an all in one formula available that ensures your body receives all of these minerals, not just these five, but a complete list of 12 essential minerals. Making sure that your body has all the minerals it needs will ensure you get the most out of your vitamins and nutrients, as minerals are needed to absorb a great number of them properly. You can find this all in one Balanced Minerals DailyFoods

Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement derived from the liver of cod fish, and it is chalked full of omega 3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, D, and E. Long ago the needs for such supplements were not necessary because people lived off of the land and actually ate whole foods that were extremely beneficial to the body. The meat they ate was usually wild, such as fish caught fresh from a river or some sort of red meat grazing free on a range. Now days, our food is full of preservatives, and so chemically altered that the goodness has long disappeared. We now eat for survival and filling, and we must supplement for health because our food is basically left worthless in this area.

Obviously, from the name you can tell that fish are considered the number one source of Omega fatty acids. However, in our modern society many people are steering clear of fish due to the mercury and pollutants that are thought to be in the meat. There are still hundreds of thousands of people that do eat fish, the problem is that these fish are raised on large commercial fish farms and lack the fatty acids, because of poor diets and over crowding. Fatty acids are completely essential to the body, yet they are not manufactured in our bodies, so we must eat them, to get them. It is estimated that 90-95% of the population is deficient, and this may be the explanation for our high numbers of disease and sickness.

So why not just take a fish oil supplement??

This is an easy question to answer, the difference between cod liver oil and regular fish oil are vitamins. Cod liver oil is a great source of vitamins A, D, and E while regular fish oil is not. You can think of cod liver oil as fish oil with benefits, and many people switch between regular fish oil in the summer and cod liver oil in the fall and winter. This switching is a great option for people who get plenty of sun exposure during the summer and not much in the winter. However, if you are restricted from the sunlight, for whatever reason, sticking to a cod liver oil supplement throughout the year is best.

Everyone can benefit from a daily cod liver oil supplement this is because, cod liver oil is one of those all around good for you supplements, that benefit everyone from your kids to your grandma and everybody in between. It so easy to take a supplement there is really no reason to not take one, most defiantly one that possesses as many health benefits as this!