This super food will flush away your unwanted fat! Real Meds

With the beautiful warm weather we’ve been having here in Montreal, it truly does feel like spring has taken a foot hold. I’m planning on taking out the bar b q from storage and start planning my vegetable garden over the weekend. There is nothing better than picking fresh tomatoes off the vine to use in a salad. but until mid summer, I’ll still be forced to buy from the local market.

To really give your salad a health boost, here is five veggies that are packed with antioxidant, just add one or all to pack a healthier punch.

5 healthy kick veggies
Artichokes
Broccoli
Leeks
Radishes
Red chicory

Scientist studying 27 vegetable have found that the artichoke packed the most antioxidant, and it also contains plenty of fiber and folate. At the market look for a nice and plump, but compact artichoke with fresh and green looking scales.

You’ll find most of these vegetables in your local supermarket, depending on the season.

A healthy kick to your salad Real Meds

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for normal metabolic functions. These functions include using proteins to repair injured tissue and converting fats and carbohydrates into energy. They do not supply the body with either energy or calories directly. Because vitamins (with the exception of Vitamin D) can not be synthesized by our body, they must be consumed through diet to prevent vitamin deficiency disorders.

There are a total of 13 vitamins, which are divided into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins, which include Vitamin C and B-complex group, can not be stored in the body. They constantly need to be replenished since they are quickly eliminated through urine. Fat-soluble, on the other hand, can be stored temporarily in the liver and fatty tissues.

History of Vitamins
Long before discovery of vitamins, many cultures were aware that certain foods had great health benefits on our body. During the times of the ancient Egyptians, they would feed their patients liver to cure night blindness. Recent evidence illustrates that night blindness is caused by Vitamin A deficiency.

From the 18th century, many doctors and scientists made profound discoveries on the nature and benefit of vitamins.

In 1747, Scottish naval surgeon Dr. James Lind discovered that a nutrient (now known as Vitamin C) found in citrus foods, helped prevent scurvy

In 1905, Dr. William Fletcher discovered that if you removed certain nutrients (now known as vitamins) from food, disease would occur. He made this observation while researching the causes of beriberi in Southeast Asia. Dr. Fletcher concluded that the husk of unpolished rice, contained “special factors” that prevented beriberi

In 1912, Polish scientist Casimir Funk, named the nutritional parts of our food, a “vitamine”, “vita” meaning life, ” amine ” a molecule found in thiamine He later concluded that if we were deficient in certain vitamins, associated diseases could occur.

Functions

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps us see in the dark. It is known as retinol because it produces pigments found in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A helps promote the health and growth of all cells and tissues found in our body. It assists in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skin, tissues, and mucous membranes.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in certain foods and can be produced by our body after exposure to UV rays from sunlight. This vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and helps deposit these minerals in teeth and bones. By promoting calcium absorption, vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones. Studies suggest that vitamin D also helps maintain a healthy immune system and helps regulate cell growth and differentiation.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant that protects cellular tissues from the damaging effects of free-radicals. Free radicals are potentially harmful by-products of energy metabolism, which could contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Research has shown that Vitamin E may help prevent specific cancers such as colon, breast, and prostate.

In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that Vitamin E boosts the immune system, improves brain function, and helps in the formation of red blood cells. It has been observed that Vitamin E helps reduce the risk of developing various vision disorders, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is commonly known as the “clotting” vitamin. This vitamin’s primary responsibility is to regulate normal blood clotting (through the formation of prothrombin). Blood clotting occurs instantaneously when there is an injury or tear to any blood vessel. It regulates this process from helping the body transport calcium. Vitamin K participates in the synthesis of several proteins that are necessary for the functions such as coagulation and anticoagulation. Vitamin K, by preventing the hardening of arteries, can reduce occurrence of heart disease and heart failure.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that affects the body in many different ways. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important protein used to create blood vessels, scar tissue, skin, tendons, and ligaments. Vitamin C is necessary for the repair and maintenance of these parts and helps heal wounds. Vitamin C is actively involved in the formation of norepiephrine, a neurotransmitter that is critical in brain function.

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, in small amounts in can combat the damage created by free radicals, which are negative by-products of metabolic activity. The accumulation of these free radicals has been associated to the aging process. Studies over time have shown that free radicals contribute to the development of ailments such as heart disease, macular degeneration, and cancer.

Thiamin, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin, and helps the body to create energy by breaking down carbohydrates and fats. Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1 is essential for the normal growth and development, it helps to main proper functioning of the heart, nervous, and digestive systems. Vitamin B1 helps maintain proper functioning digestive, nervous, cardiovascular systems. It can be stored in muscle tissue temporarily; depletion can occur as quickly as within 14 days.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is a water soluble vitamin that helps the body produce energy through the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It also helps convert tryptophan (an essential amino acid) into niacin (another B vitamin) and activates vitamin B6. Riboflavin also aids the body’s antioxidant system to protect against free-radical damage. It is vital for the body’s various systems such as nervous, reproductive, and immune system.

Niacin is a water-soluble, B-complex vitamin that plays an important role in energy metabolism, by converting carbohydrates and fats. It also helps the body to remove harmful toxins, to produce steroid hormones, and to repair DNA. Vitamin B3 plays an important role in our digestive tract by maintaining smooth muscle tone. Studies have shown that niacin is effective at reducing cholesterol-levels and improving cardiovascular circulation.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin. It, like other members of the B-complex family, helps metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to produce and release energy. It is common known as the “anti-stress vitamin”, by supporting the adrenal gland in the release a stress hormone, cortisol.

Pantothenic acid, helps the adrenal gland produce other important hormones, which aid the body to fight allergies and regulate metabolism. It is, also, very important in stimulating the immune system to produce more antibodies.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is a water-soluble that helps produce proteins, which then create cell bodies. It helps convert tryptophan (an essential amino acid) into Niacin (Vitamin B3) and Serotonin, a biological neurotransmitter. Vitamin B6 helps the immune system by increasing WBC production to fight infection. The body needs Vitamin B6, to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, a major component of red blood cells, bind to oxygen carrying it to all body tissues. It also increases the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. Thus, vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia. It also helps maintain blood glucose levels within normal range. When your glucose level is low, your body requires vitamin B6 to convert stored carbohydrates into glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Recent studies have shown that vitamin B6 decreases homocysteine levels, which has been to heart disease.

Folate is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in DNA and RNA production, which produce new cell bodies. Folate is required for DNA replication and can prevent change in DNA that may lead to cancer.. It is actively involved in rapid cell division and growth, during times of infancy and pregnancy. With the aid of vitamin B12, folate forms hemoglobin, found in red blood cells allowing effective oxygen transportation to surrounding body tissues. Folate plays a role in reducing homocysteine levels in blood.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is important in the production of red blood cells and healthy nerve cells. It is required in DNA and RNA replication. Vitamin B12, with the help of vitamin B6 and folate, control the body’s homocysteine levels. Excess amounts of homocysteine are associated with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. Similar to other water-soluble vitamins, vitamin B12 plays an important role in cell division and growth. It also increases our energy levels by metabolizing fats and carbohydrates.

Vitamin B12 enters the body by binding to protein found in food. During digestion, hydrochloric acid releases vitamin B12 from the protein. After being released, vitamin B12 combines with a substance called instrinsic factor(IF). This complex is now capable of being absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, generally classified as a B-complex vitamin. Like other B vitamins, it helps body cells to produce energy. It helps metabolize fats, proteins (amino acids) and carbohydrates in food. It is important in cell growth, the production of fatty acids, maintains a steady blood sugar levels, and strengthen hair and nails. It plays a role in the citric acid cycle, a process where biochemical energy in created during aerobic respiration. It also plays a role in the transfer of carbon dioxide found in the body. Preliminary studies show that biotin may help improve sugar control in those with diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes.

Vilash Reddy is president of Doc1Vitamins.com. This comprehensive nutritional website features physician developed, highly effective vitamins and nutritional supplements. It also contains various health resources to help inform visitors about the importance of quality nutrition and vitamin supplementation.

The ABCs of Vitamins – A Comprehensive Vitamin Guide Real Meds

Multivitamins – who uses them? Well, you probably do, Americans spend $4,000,000,000 a year on multivitamins alone. 70 % Australians are no less keen on them, spending a tiny $2,300,000,000, and yes … that is a ton of zeros!!

Who needs them? Well the number of people that can say that every day they honestly eat a well-balanced diet of containing lots of fruits, nuts and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, along with chicken and fish is not just low, it is merely non-existent. Of the people who think they are doing well, most do not realize the sheer quantities that have to be consumed to maintain that ‘well-balanced diet’.

Okay, so almost everyone needs a multivitamin, but which one to choose? Having 30,000+ vitamins on the market presents so much choice it normally is a case of finding the bottle you think looks the nicest … or the cheapest. After all, a vitamin is a vitamin right?

Fortunately, 7 Canadian and American biochemists have come to rescue us from our ignorance. They looked at and compared what is in each of these multivitamins by separating and measuring each ingredient – that is, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and other components.

They put together the ‘perfect’ multivitamin, which actually does not exist as some vitamins needs to be taken separately and it would be the size of large chestnut, and rather difficult to swallow!

They examined how absorbable the vitamins were, whether they were in the right amounts/form and the variety of vitamins and minerals. Also looked at was having the vitamins in the right combinations for the body’s needs. The score was how close each one was to that perfect multivitamin out of 100%.

In order of importance;
Nutritional Supplements %

USANA Health Sciences Essentials……………………………………………….. 73.7
Solgar Omnium …………………………………………………………………………. 56.5
Thorne Research Al’s Formula …………………………………………………….. 46.9
Clinicians Vitamin and Mineral Boost…………………………………………….. 45.1
NFS Nutraceuticals Ultimate Sports Multi ………………………………………. 44.5
Thorne Research Basic Nutrients V ………………………………………………. 44.4
Thorne Research Basic Nutrients III …………………………………………….. 38.7
Solgar VM-2000…………………………………………………………………………. 37.9
Pharmanex Lifepak ……………………………………………………………………. 28.1
Amway NutriWay Double X …………………………………………………………. 27.3
GNC LiveWell Women’s Ultra Mega ………………………………………………. 26.1
Pharmanex Lifepak Women ………………………………………………………… 25.6
BioCeuticals Multi Essentials ……………………………………………………….. 25.3
Pharmalliance OxiChel…………………………………………………………………. 24.8
Neways Orachel ………………………………………………………………………… 24.1
Solgar Formula VM-75 ………………………………………………………………… 23.1
Radiance Multi-Power …………………………………………………………………. 22.6
Nutra Life Active Men’s Multi…………………………………………………………. 22.3
GNC LiveWell Mega Men ……………………………………………………………… 21.2
Pharmanex Lifepak Prime ……………………………………………………………. 21.0
Nature’s Sunshine Supplemental Vitamins & Minerals………………………. 20.6
Thompson’s Multifort ………………………………………………………………….. 17.5
Nature’s Way Mega Multi …………………………………………………………….. 17.1
Thompson’s Immunofort ……………………………………………………………… 16.9
Nutra Life Active Women’s Multi Plus …………………………………………….. 16.4
Eagle Tresos B PluSe ………………………………………………………………….. 16.4
Nature’s Way Women’s Energy Mega Multivitamin…………………………… 16.4
Pharm-a-Care Women’s Mega Strength MultiVitamins …………………….. 16.4
Bioglan Women’s Complete Multi Compex …………………………………….. 16.4
Pretorius Women’s Live Better Multi Vitamin & Mineral ……………………. 16.3
Kordel’s Men’s Multi (without Iron) ………………………………………………. 15.4
Nutrition Care Formula SF88 ……………………………………………………….. 15.1
Blackmores Women’s Vitality Multi ……………………………………………….. 14.1
Metagenics Multigenics ………………………………………………………………. 14.1
Red Seal Women’s Multi………………………………………………………………. 14.0
Nature’s Own Daily Multi Peak Performance …………………………………… 14.0
Manatech GlycoLEAN Catalyst ……………………………………………………. 13.9
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Women’s Multi Vitamin with Selenium . 13.7
Nature’s Sunshine Mega-Chel ……………………………………………………… 13.5
Metagenics Multigenics Phyto Plus ……………………………………………….. 13.5
Blackmores Women’s Multi & Evening Primrose Oil ………………………….. 13.4
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Fifty Plus Multi Vitamins …………………… 13.4
Blackmores Sustained Release Women’s Multi Vitamins & Minerals ……. 13.3
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Men’s Multi Vitamin with Selenium …….. 13.3
Red Seal Men’s Multi …………………………………………………………………… 13.3
Pharm-a-Care Men’s Mega Strength Multi-Vitamin …………………………… 11.7
Bioglan Men’s Complete Multi Complex ………………………………………….. 11.6
Nature’s Way Men’s Energy Mega Multi-Vitamin Iron-Free ………………… 11.6
Blackmores Sustained Release Multi Vitamins and Minerals ………………. 11.5
Swisse Women’s Ultivite Formula 1 ……………………………………………….. 11.5
Pluravit Time-Release Multi …………………………………………………………… 11.5
Thompson’s Men’s Multi with Antioxidants ………………………………………. 11.3
Herbs of Gold Executive Multi Vitamin & Mineral ……………………………….. 11.1
Golden Glow Senior’s One-A-Day Multi ……………………………………………. 11.1
Swisse Women’s Ultivite No Iron or Iodine ……………………………………… 10.9
Swisse Men’s Ultivite Formula 1 …………………………………………………….. 10.8
Blackmores Sustained Release Multi Vitamins & Minerals + Selenium ….. 10.7
Melaleuca Vitality for Women ………………………………………………………… 10.6
Reliv Now …………………………………………………………………………………… 10.4
Nature’s Own Multivitamin Plus Omega 3 Fish Oil ………………………………. 9.1
Avon VitAdvance Women’s Complete II ……………………………………………. 9.1
Good Health Men’s Multi-Plus ………………………………………………………….. 9.1
Pharma Foods Pharma Day with Selenium ………………………………………… 8.7
Herbalife Formula 3 ……………………………………………………………………….. 8.7
Kordel’s Women’s Multi Plus EPO …………………………………………………….. 8.6
Cenovis Mega Multi ……………………………………………………………………….. 8.4
Thompson’s Femmefort ………………………………………………………………….. 8.3
Microgenics Mega Multivitamin ………………………………………………………… 8.0
Melaleuca Vitality for Men ………………………………………………………………. 7.5
Reliv Classic …………………………………………………………………………………. 7.5
Nutrition Care Formula 33SE …………………………………………………………… 7.4
Microgenics Women’s Pro Active Multi Vitamin …………………………………… 6.8
Golden Glow Super One-A-Day ……………………………………………………….. 6.7
Herron Clinical Nutrition Men’s Multi-Vitamin & Minerals ………………………. 6.2
Blackmores Men’s Performance Multi ……………………………………………….. 6.2
Good Health Women’s Multi-Plus …………………………………………………….. 6.0
Vitaplex Professional One a Day Multivitamin ……………………………………. 5.0
New Vision Essential Vitamins ………………………………………………………… 4.7
Centrum Select 50+ ……………………………………………………………………… 4.3
Amway NutriWay Daily ………………………………………………………………….. 4.2
Microgenics Men’s Essential Multivitamin ………………………………………….. 4.1
Myadec Gold A-Z Guard …………………………………………………………………. 4.0
Red Seal Total Multi with Minerals …………………………………………………… 3.9
Centrum Complete from A to Zinc ……………………………………………………. 3.9
Cenovis 50+ Multi …………………………………………………………………………. 3.8
Guardian Women’s Multi Vitamins & Minerals……………………………………… 3.6
Herron Clinical Nutrition One-a-Day Women’s Multi-Vitamns & Minerals … 3.6
Cenovis Multivitamin and Minerals……………………………………………………. 3.4
Amcal One-A-Day…………………………………………………………………………… 3.3
Berocca Performance …………………………………………………………………….. 3.2
Healtheries Women’s Multi (AU) ………………………………………………………. 3.2
Cenovis Women’s Multi ………………………………………………………………….. 3.1
Nature’s Own Daily Multi Essentials …………………………………………………. 3.1
Pluravit Women …………………………………………………………………………….. 3.1
Golden Glow Women’s One-a-Day Multi ……………………………………………. 3.1
Blackmores Multi + Gingko for 55+ …………………………………………………… 3.0
Pluravit 50 Plus …………………………………………………………………………….. 3.0
Healtheries Women’s Multi (NZ) ………………………………………………………. 2.7
Hivita LiquiVita ………………………………………………………………………………. 2.6
Red Seal One-a-Day Multi & Minerals ………………………………………………… 2.6
Amcal Multivitamin & Mineral Effervescent…………………………………………… 2.6
Golden Glow Men’s One-a-Day Multi …………………………………………………. 2.5
Bioglan Daily Plus Max ……………………………………………………………………. 2.5
Cenovis Men’s Multi ……………………………………………………………………….. 2.5
Myadec Multivitamins and Minerals …………………………………………………… 2.4
Nature’s Own Multivitamin & Mineral …………………………………………………. 2.4
Herron Clinical Nutrition All-in-One Multi-Vitamin & Mineral ……………………. 2.1
Guardian Multi Vitamins & Minerals Hi Potency ……………………………………. 2.1
Advocare Macro-Mineral Complex ……………………………………………………… 1.1

A staggering 50 out of the total 110 multivitamins did not even reach 10% and only the top 11 multivitamins were above 25% of what the human body needs on a daily basis.

The popular supermarket brands all featured below 10% possibly due to being forced to compete on price with other supermarkets. The downside for you, means the product you take every day is a hugely inferior supplement.

In other words, you get what you pay for. In some cases ignorance is bliss, in others it is a big wakeup call. My father has taken supplements for many years before and after he developed cancer and never once questioned the quality of what he was consuming. After reading this, he too, wondered why he ever thought not to research something so important to his health, when he did such a great job of researching anything else that he bought.

My advice, choose a multivitamin that is backed by a great company with a good reputation and do not just buy any old vitamin because of the price. You would be better off spending the money on something else.

For more information on the worlds leading supplement contact; Daniel Tolmie – Nutritional Expert Phone: 6421677041 Email: toodaniel@gmail.com

Multivitamin Comparison – From Empty Air to Massively Boosting Health Real Meds

]]> http://www.realmeds.com/multivitamin-comparison-from-empty-air-to-massively-boosting-health/feed/ 0 http://www.realmeds.com/coenzyme-q10-benefits-and-information/ http://www.realmeds.com/coenzyme-q10-benefits-and-information/#comments Wed, 16 May 2007 01:27:40 +0000 Nick http://www.realmeds.com/2007/05/15/coenzyme-q10-benefits-and-information/

Real Meds - Natural meds that work

CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound that is produced naturally in the human body and is also found in most living organisms. It is also called ubiquinone, a combination of quinone, a type of coenzyme, and ubiquitous, meaning it exists everywhere in the human body. CoQ10 plays an important role in your body’s energy production and [...]

Coenzyme Q10 – Benefits and Information Real Meds

]]> Real Meds - Natural meds that work

CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound that is produced naturally in the human body and is also found in most living organisms. It is also called ubiquinone, a combination of quinone, a type of coenzyme, and ubiquitous, meaning it exists everywhere in the human body. CoQ10 plays an important role in your body’s energy production and is an essential component of the mitochondria, where it helps to metabolize fats and carbohydrates and maintain cell membrane flexibility. CoQ10 is also involved in the production of several key enzymes that are used to create ATP, which is burned by your body for energy, and in the energy transfer between mitochondria and cells. Without CoQ10, you would not be able to function!

What is its history?
CoQ10 was first discovered by Dr. Frederick Crane of the University of Wisconsin in 1957. One year later, Professor Karl Folkers and others at Merck Incorporated identified and recorded CoQ10′s chemical structure, and were the first to produce it through fermentation. Intermittent research led to its use in Japan for cardiac insufficiencies during the 1960′s. Dr. Folkers championed more intensive research into CoQ10′s role in cardiovascular health in 1972, after he and an Italian scientist, Gian Paolo Littarru, discovered that persons with cardiac insufficiencies had very low levels of CoQ10, and supplementation increased CoQ10 levels and positively affected heart health. Soon afterwards, the Japanese developed a method that allowed pure CoQ10 to be produced in quantities large enough for significant clinical trials. During the 1980′s this method was perfected in Japan, and medical technology finally allowed scientists to measure CoQ10 levels in blood and tissues, leading to a surge in further research. It was during this time that a Swedish researcher, Lars Ernster, drew attention to CoQ10′s role as a free radical-scavenging antioxidant. Today a multitude of research supports CoQ10′s health benefits.

As a result of the overwhelmingly positive reports from studies conducted since CoQ10′s discovery, the Japanese were the first to approve widespread use of CoQ10, granting market approval for it in 1974. From 1974 to 1982, CoQ10 use in Japan grew rapidly until it was one of the most widely used products in the Japanese pharmaceutical industry. It is still widely used today, and has a long history of safe use. In “An Introduction To Coenzyme Q10″ by Peter H. Langsjoen, M.D., F.A.C.C., he lists the substantial amount of scientific evidence that supports CoQ10′s benefits. “Internationally, there have been at least nine placebo controlled studies on the treatment of heart disease with CoQ10: two in Japan, two in the United States, two in Italy, two in Germany, and one in Sweden. All nine of these studies have confirmed the effectiveness of CoQ10 as well as its remarkable safety. There have now been eight international symposia on the biomedical and clinical aspects of CoQ10 (from 1976 through 1993). These eight symposia comprised over 3000 papers presented by approximately 200 different physicians and scientists from 18 countries.” “The majority of the clinical studies concerned the treatment of heart disease and were remarkably consistent in their conclusions: that treatment with CoQ10 significantly improved heart muscle function while producing no adverse effects or drug interactions.”

How does it help?
Virtually every cell of the human body contains CoQ10. The mitochondria, the area of cells where energy is produced, contain the most CoQ10. The heart and liver contain the greatest amount of CoQ10. It has helped some people with congestive heart failure(CHF) an effect reported in an analysis of eight controlled trials and found in some, though not all, double-blind studies. The beneficial effects of CoQ10 may not be seen until after several months of treatment. Discontinuation of CoQ10 supplementation in people with CHF has resulted in severe relapses and should only be attempted under the supervision of a doctor.

Similar improvements have been reported in people with cardiomyopathies a group of diseases affecting heart muscle. Research (including double-blind studies) in this area has been consistently positive.

Also, due to its effect on heart muscle, researchers have studied CoQ10 in people with heart arrhythmias. Preliminary research in this area reported improvement after approximately one month in people with premature ventricular beats (a form of arrhythmia) who also suffer from diabetes.

Angina patients taking 150 mg per day of CoQ10 report a greater ability to exercise without experiencing chest pain. This has been confirmed in independent investigations.

CoQ10 appears to increase the heart’s tolerance to a lack of oxygen. Perhaps as a result, preliminary research has shown that problems resulting from heart surgery occurred less frequently in people given CoQ10 compared with the control group.

Muscle mitochondria lack adequate CoQ10 in people with muscular dystrophy, a problem that could affect muscle function. In a double-blind three-month trial, four of eight people with muscular dystrophy had improvements in heart function and sense of well-being when supplementing CoQ10.

Mitochondrial function also appears to be impaired in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Due to CoQ10′s effects on mitochondrial functioning, one group of researchers has given CoQ10 (along with iron and vitamin B6) to several people with Alzheimer’s disease and reported the progression of the disease appeared to have been prevented for one and a half, to two years.

CoQ10 also modulates immunity. Perhaps as a result, a few cases have been reported in which women with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that had spread to other tissues) had a regression of their cancer after treatment with a very large amount of CoQ10 (390 mg per day).

CoQ10 appears to modulate blood pressure by reducing resistance to blood flow. Several trials have reported that supplementation with CoQ10 significantly reduced blood pressure in people with hypertension, usually after ten weeks to four or more months of treatment.

Where is it found?
CoQ10 is found primarily in fish and meat, but the amounts in food are far less than what can be obtained from supplements.

Who is likely to be deficient?
Deficiency is poorly understood, but it may be caused by synthesis problems in the body rather than an insufficiency in the diet. Low blood levels have been reported in people with heart failure, cardiomyopathy, gingivitis(inflammation of the gums), morbid obesity, hypertension, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, AIDS, and in some people on kidney dialysis. People with phenylketonuria(PKU) may be deficient in CoQ10 because of dietary restrictions. CoQ10 levels are also generally lower in older people. The test used to assess CoQ10 status is not routinely available from medical laboratories.

An isolated test tube study reported that the anticancer effect of a certain cholesterol-lowering drug was blocked by addition of CoQ10. So far, experts in the field have put little stock in this report because its results have not yet been confirmed in animal, human, or even other test tube studies. The drug used in the test tube is not used to treat cancer, and preliminary information regarding the use of high amounts of CoQ10 in humans suggests the possibility of anticancer activity.

Benefits
• may beneficially affect the aging process
• improves heart muscle function
• reduces blood pressure in people with hypertension
• boosts overall immune function

Chester is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of AstroNutrition – a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements.

Coenzyme Q10 – Benefits and Information Real Meds

]]> http://www.realmeds.com/coenzyme-q10-benefits-and-information/feed/ 0 http://www.realmeds.com/vitamin-c-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/ http://www.realmeds.com/vitamin-c-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/#comments Sat, 12 May 2007 01:18:45 +0000 Nick http://www.realmeds.com/2007/05/11/vitamin-c-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/

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Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin that can be found in most tissues of the body. It is also an important antioxidant and works to protect cells from damaging free radicals that may lead to certain eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vitamin C helps body cells grow and stay healthy, [...]

Vitamin C – The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Real Meds

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Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin that can be found in most tissues of the body. It is also an important antioxidant and works to protect cells from damaging free radicals that may lead to certain eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Vitamin C helps body cells grow and stay healthy, including those in bones, teeth, gums, ligaments, and blood vessels. It also helps the body’s response to infection and stress, and helps use iron efficiently. It can vastly improve health and prevent many serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It does so by inactivating toxic oxygen free radicals which can potentially damage lipid membranes, proteins, and cellular DNA.

Also an anti-oxidant, vitamin C protects the skin from UV radiation damage which causes “age spots.” It can actually reverse some of the oxidative damage in the skin cells.

Vitamin C deficiency
Vitamin C deficiency in humans leads to scurvy. Early symptoms in adults include fatigue, weakness, aching joints and muscles. In later stages, scurvy is characterized by anemia, bleeding from the gums, petechial and sheet hemorrhages, and delayed wound healing. Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day will provide enough vitamin C and other important vitamins and fiber.

The best sources of Vitamin C
Fruits, especially citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, contain lots of vitamin C. Vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli and potatoes are also great sources of vitamin C.

The recommended amount of vitamin C for most healthy people is 60mg/day. The following list provides the amount of vitamin C contained in these common foods:

• One 8-ounce glass of orange juice – 97 mg
• One cup of strawberries – 85 mg
• 1 medium kiwi fruit – 75 mg
• Papaya 1 medium – 188 mg
• Grapefruit juice 6 ounces – 70 mg
• Cantaloupe, cubed 1 cup – 68 mg
• Mango 1 medium – 57 mg
• 1/2 cup raw green peppers – 45 mg
• 1/2 cup cooked broccoli – 37 mg
• 1 baked potato – 26 mg
• 1 raw tomato – 24 mg
• Cauliflower, raw 1/2 cup – 23 mg
• Kidney and liver are good animal-derived sources of vitamin C

How to prepare foods to retain vitamin C
Vitamin C can be lost from foods during preparation, cooking, or storage due to oxidation. To prevent loss of vitamin C:

• Serve fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible • Steam, boil, or simmer foods in a very small amount of water, or microwave them for the shortest time possible

Vitamin C supplements
When shopping for Vitamin C supplements, take special care to watch out for esterifies C and time-released C. It has not been scientifically proven that these can be absorbed as easily as ascorbic acid.

Vitamin C Toxicity
Excess vitamin C not needed by the body will just be excreted in the urine. Gastrointestinal effects are the most common adverse effects associated with high doses of vitamin C taken over a short period of time.

While vitamin C is generally not considered toxic, large amounts over 1000mg can cause stomach upset, and kidney or other problems including:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Cramps
• Kidney Stones
• Anemia – (Destruction of Rbc’s)
• Rebound Scurvy
• Infantile Scurvy

Large amounts of vitamin C can reduce the body levels of copper. People with “iron overload” diseases must avoid a vitamin C overdose, as it increases iron absorption. Individuals who have kidney stones should seek their doctor’s advice. If a pregnant mother takes 6,000 mg of vitamin C, the baby may develop rebound scurvy due to a sudden drop in the daily intake.

When are higher levels of vitamin C necessary?
Higher levels of vitamin C are needed when a person is under environmental stress such as trauma, fever or infection. Full saturation is reached with daily intakes of 200-500 mg per day (in 2-3 divided doses). Also, In order to neutralize the damaging free radicals found in tobacco smoke, smokers in general use more vitamin C than nonsmokers.

Is vitamin C good for colds?
Many people increase their vitamin C intake to try and either prevent or “fight off” a cold. While the research is not definite on the real benefits of this practice, extra vitamin C is usually safe in amounts up to twice the RDA of 60mg.

Studies have concluded that taking vitamin C doses as high as 1g/day over a long period does not prevent colds. However, relatively high doses of vitamin C will modestly reduce the duration of cold symptoms. The relation of dose to therapeutic benefit has not been properly explored, but in trials testing the administration of vitamin C after cold symptoms occurred, there was some evidence that a large dose produced greater benefits than lower doses.

Vitamin C – The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Real Meds

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