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Natural Herbal Remedies & AntioxidantVitamin Wonders

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Herbal Remedies

3. The Antioxidant Vitamins

4. Top Ten Natural Sources of Important Vitamins and Minerals

5. The Benefits of Supplemental Extracts

6. Natural vs. Synthetic: Not all vitamins are the same

Introduction

Vitamins have only been around since about the 1900’s. Before that time,foods on hand were the source for meeting vitamin needs.

Some cul tu res real ized, however, that certain foods met specif ic needs.For example, ancient Egyptians found that eating l iver could help cure aperson’s abi l i ty to see at night; i.e. night blindness, which physiciansknow today is a resul t of vitamin A deficiency.

So as to leave no stone unturned, this repor t takes a look at herbalremedies that date back generations before any of our time. And it takesa look at antioxidant vitamins, natura l sources of important vitaminsand minerals, benefi ts of supplemental extracts and natura l vs.synthetic vitamins for a complete overview of the evolution of vitaminsto meet the needs of mankind.

Herbal Remedies

Herbs have been used for tens of thousands of years to cure al l kindsof aches, pains and ai lments. Just l ike people did a long time ago, youcan safely t reat a wide variety of things with herbs or herbal extrac tsyou can find in your backyard, at heal th food stores or onl ine. Here isa l ist of common herbs used to remedy everything from burns toheadaches.

Aloe veraAloe Vera is perhaps best known for being an excel lent sunburntreatment with superb skin revita l iz ing propert ies. Some of its lesser-known uses include aiding the digestive system and maintaining energylevels. It is also commonly taken as a vitamin and mineral supplementbecause it is chock fu l l of great vitamins that you need. Aloe is typicalsold in gel form for use on skin and sunburns and in a drinkable formfor use as a dietary supplement.

Hawthorn berriesHawthorn berry is wel l known for the positive effects it has on thecircu la to ry system and heart. This berry is packed with vitamin C andvitamin B and is typical ly taken over a lengthy period to reap al l of thegreat benefi ts it has to offer. Most heal th food stores offer it inl iquid and capsule form though the body much more easi ly absorbs thel iquid form.

Milk thistleMilk Thist le is a powerfu l antioxidant that aids the l iver and has beenproven by many studies to help al l l iver rela ted problems includingalcohol rela ted l iver disease. The important compound in milk thist l e,si lymarin, can be hard for the body to absorb and is most effect ive whentaken in the strongest form avai lable.

SumaSuma is also known as a form of ginseng from Brazi l and has been usedtradi t iona l l y for a variety of reasons including: fighting fat igue,support ing the immune system and helping to stay stress free. Suma isoften consumed as a tea, but is also readi ly avai lab le as a supplementalpil l.

GingerGinger is an excel lent remedy for upset stomachs and has long been usedas a remedy for pregnant women experiencing morning sickness or nausea.It is also commonly used to treat inf lammation and arth r i t i s pain.

Ginger is often consumed as a tea or other beverage to treat nausea.However, it has been used in cuisines around the wor ld as a f lavoradditive.

Black cohoshBlack cohosh has been the subject of many successfu l studies provingthat it helps menopausal women reduce the severi ty of thei r symptomsincluding reducing the effect of hot f lashes. Its heal thy chemicals helpregulate and balance a woman’s hormones so she does not experience thenormal intensity of menopausal symptoms. Typical ly, black cohosh istaken as a supplemental pi l l that is avai lab le at most heal th foodstores.

The Antioxidant VitaminsDo you know that antioxidant vitamins help to stop certain i l lness,ranging f rom heart complaint to cancer? In recent years, scientistshave identi f ied several antioxidant vitamins posses an added advantageto help maintain good heal th. The vitamins most often identi f ied asantioxidants are Vitamins A, C, and E. In addition to prevent thecardiovascula r ai lments and cancer, these vitamins are crucia l to theheal th of certain tissues and specific body processes. If you want toachieve broad range of protect ion f rom these unique vitamins, theantioxidant vitamins should be combined with other important nutr ients.

Other Benefits of Antioxidant VitaminsThe antioxidant vitamins protect an individual not only against cancerand cardiac prob lems, but also against nervous disorders, infections,vision problems and the physical effects of aging.

Inclusion of antioxidant vitamins in dietIt real ly makes sense to eat a wel l- balanced diet rich in wide variety ofvegetables and f rui ts, which contain many antioxidant vitamins andnutr ients. As antioxidants function in your body as an interact ingnetwork, make sure to include the antioxidants that act in the water-solub le areas and fat- soluble areas of the body.

You need to include these important vitamins on a dai ly basis to assurethat your body retains the proper antioxidant reserves for future use.The common plants that contain more antioxidant vitamins and nutr ientsare soy, cit rus f rui ts, ginkgo leaves, rosemary, Bilber ry frui t, Noni f rui tand turmeric. The best sources of antioxidants are ginger, pomegranate,sunf lower seeds, walnuts, and berr ies and gar l i c.

The Free Radical StoryOxidation is the f lame of our l i fe. This process occurs to produce energyby contro l l ed fuel burning within our body. The natura l by-products ofthis process are free radicals. These free radicals cause ageing andother complicat ions. The antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E) reserve in ourbody and antioxidant dai ly inclusion takes care of these free radicalsby neutra l i z ing them.

Vitamin ANearly everyone has heard of Vitamin A’s ro le in immunity, cancerprevention, and bone growth, heal th of skin and other body l inings and

in vision. But the hidden effect of the vitamin A is nothing but theantioxidant proper ty. This is readi ly avai lable in for t i f ied milk andgreen, orange and yel low vegetables. They real l y tend to neutra l ize the“bad guys”, the free radicals.

Vitamin CAs an antioxidant, this vitamin can help keep the eye lens heal thy byhindering the destruct ive processes that tend to destroy it. This vitaminalso enhances the body’s absorpt ion of iron to prevent anemia. Vitamin Chelps in preventing oxidation of water- soluble substances in the body. Inaddition to this, vitamin C plays an important ro le in the release ofstress hormones and connective tissue heal th.

Vitamin EThis prominent antioxidant vitamin is wel l known for its antioxidantbenefi ts. Vitamin E blocks fat oxidation, especial ly in the lungs wherecopious amounts of oxygen is avai lab le and also prevents damage to cel lmembranes and l inings. Moreover, this vitamin may protect againstParkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, age related macular degeneration,cataracts, cancer, and heart disease.

As antioxidant vitamins provide lots of benefi ts, we cannot includeexcess of antioxidant vitamins, as it may be dangerous too. The chemicalbalance of our body may become seriously disrupted when antioxidantvitamins cross the optimal level. Always get the advice of a l icensednutr i t ionist or a heal th care professional for proper guidance when itcomes to the proper dose of any vitamin.

Top Ten Natural Sources of ImportantVitamins and Minerals

Vitamins are very easy to find if you know where to look. Grains, f rui tsand vegetables are al l excel lent natura l sources of vitamins. As anadded bonus, your body wil l typical l y absorb the vitamins found in foodsmore easi ly than those found in supplements. This art ic le wil l discussthe top ten natura l foods that contain important vitamins that yourbody needs.

OrangesOranges are not only jam packed with vitamin C, but they also containpotassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Vitamin C is commonly know to helpprevent and cure the common cold and helps aid in iron absorption buthas also been tied to the prevention of heart disease. Vitamin B6 is apowerfu l too l that aids your metabol ism as wel l as other vita l bodi lyfunctions.

CarrotsCarrots are heavy on the Vitamin A and also have a good amount ofcalcium and vitamin C. However, it’s important not to overcook them oral l of the heal thy vitamins and minerals wil l be cooked right out.Tossing a fresh carrot into your lunch bag is a great way to keep al lthose great vitamins right where they should be – in the carrot.

SpinachFol ic Acid or B9 is found abundant ly in spinach. Folic acid is vita l topregnant women because it can help reduce the risk of bir th defects innewborns. Spinach also has some other important nutr ients such asvitamin A, C and E and should be eaten raw to get the most benefi t fromthe nutr ients it contains.

BlueberriesBlueberr ies are perhaps best known for thei r effects on memory.Studies have shown that the vitamin B compounds in blueberr ies helpimprove memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Theyare also a great source for vitamin C.

AlmondsAlmonds are chock fu l l of calcium and vitamin E. Vitamin E is thought tohelp prevent certain cancers and cardiovascula r diseases. It’s also agreat source of calcium which helps bui ld strong bones.

BroccoliVitamin K, A and C, calcium and fiber are al l very abundant in broccol iand a good dose of broccol i once a week wil l help prevent cancer aswel l as help bui ld strong bones.

CauliflowerCauli f l ower is hands down the best source for vitamin K, which is vita lto your body’s abi l i ty to make your blood clot. It is also a good sourceof vitamin C, fiber and some great nutr ients that are believed to helpprevent certain cancers l ike breast and prostate cancer.

BeansBeans are a great source of folate which is great for cel l formation.Iron is also found in beans which helps keep your energy up. Otherimportant substances in beans can help prevent cancer, reduce the riskof diabetes, aid your ci rcu la to ry system and help cont ro l your weight.

ApplesAn apple a day may just keep the doctor away. Apples are a greatsource of vitamin C which wil l help boost your immune system. However,studies have shown that apples also contain other vita l proper t ies thathelp boost your immune system in ways that vitamin C supplements can’t.

The Benefits of Supplemental Extracts

Taking supplemental vitamins is nothing l ike popping a Tylenol for painor antibiot ic for infection. A supplemental vitamin helps maintain yourheal th and ensure that you get the vitamins you need. You may al readyget enough of certain vitamins which is why you can buy individualsupplements of just about anything you can think of. If you are lookingto improve your memory, t ry ginkgo bi loba. For heal thy skin t ry lupineextract. This art ic le wi l l explore the benefi ts of a few dif ferent typesof supplements on the market today.

Pomegranate extract supplementsAs one of the most power antioxidant supplements on the market today,pomegranate extract is touted to be not only an antioxidant, but alsoan anti- cancer and anti- vira l substance. One of the most importantbenefi ts of taking pomegranate in extract form is that you aren’t takingin the extra calor ies that you would in juice form. This is especial lyimportant for diabetics or those who want to take pomegranate longterm as a dietary supplement. Many studies also indicate that consistentpomegranate use is l inked to a drastic decrease in the risk of prostatecancer.

Rosemary extractWhen bought in l iquid form, rosemary extract can be a powerfu lsupplemental herb. Rosemary extract can be rubbed on the skin to helpcircu la t ion and tighten the skin. There have also been studies thatrosemary extract pi l l s may help with prostate heal th and fightingcancers.

Ginkgo biloba extractGinkgo is wel l known as a memory-enhancing agent and is most commonlyfound in supplemental pi l l form. The plant originates from China andhas a long history of medical uses. It is also thought to be a mildaphrodisiac, Alzheihmer’s cure and a great antioxidant.

EchinaceaEchinacea is widely used to help the immune system, as an antibiot ic andto puri fy the blood. It is typical l y sold in supplemental pi l l form, butit makes an outstanding herbal tea as wel l. There are manymanufacturers that have an Echinacea tea so it is very easy to findonl ine or in your loca l supermarket.

St. John’s WortSt. John’s Wort is used to fight depression, anxiety and other mentaldisorders. Over the ages, it has been used for a few other things, butmainly for mental disorders. Recent studies have shown that it may notbe as powerfu l as once thought in combating these i l l nesses, however, St.John’s Wort has many fo l l owers, including medical professionals thatstand by it’s uses.

As you can see, there are a wide variety of uses and benefi ts of extracts.The even better news is that this is just a very part ia l l ist ofsupplements avai lable. Other powerfu l extracts include: Bilber ry,Boswel l ia, Cranberry, Elderber ry, Eyebright, Goldenseal, Grapeseed, MilkThist le, Tea Tree Oil, and many, many more.

Natural vs. Synthetic: Not all vitamins are thesame

There are l i te ra l l y thousands of vitamins and supplements avai lab le forpurchase today. Each type of supplement such as calcium, ginkgo bi lobaor multivi tamins has many brands avai lab le made in a variety ofdif fe rent ways. Some vitamins are derived direct l y from natura l sourcessuch as oranges, oi ls, plants and vegetables. And for each vitaminavai lab le natura l l y, there is a vitamin pil l avai lable too. Although thevitamin supplements claim to be the same, you may not be gett ing theamount of nutr ients that you imagine you are gett ing. It’s not to saythat synthetic vitamins are infer ior to thei r natura l supplements, butit’s important you the differences. Another important consideration isthe fi l l e rs used in vitamin supplement pi l l s. Some brands contain extrasubstances that you real l y don’t need any may actual ly cause you moreharm than good.

Natural vitamin sourcesNatura l vitamins sources are those that your body gets from frui ts,plants, vegetables, animals and other natura l sources. This is typical l ya very easy way for your body to process and absorb the vitamins youare looking for. However, if you do not eat a wel l balanced diet, yourbody may be deprived of certain vitamins. Natura l vitamin sources maynot be adequate in other instances too. For example, you may have anintestinal problem that prevents you from proper ly absorbing nutr ients.If this is the case you may consider supplementing with a vitamin pi l l toensure you get your dai ly al lowance of vitamins.

Synthetic vitamin sourcesAlthough some supplemental are derived f rom natura l sources, not al lare. Many vitamins, l ike vitamin C, can be produced synthetica l l y in alaborato ry and have exact ly the same structu re. However, there arevitamins that are not the same, l ike vitamin E. Vitamin E has twodif ferent forms, one that is absorbed and used by the human body andone that is not. In the laboratory, chemists typical ly produce a vitaminE that is hal f good vitamin D and hal f not. What this means to you isthat often times the vitamin pi l ls you buy at the drugstore only giveyour body hal f the amount of vitamin E as indicated on the label.

Vitamin fillersVitamin tablets typical ly contain a variety of fi l l e rs and whi le some ofthem are just fine for you, you do need to be on the look out forothers, or the risk of overdoing them. Soybean oi l is a very commonfi l l e r and very unheal thy fi l l e r found most often in gelcaps. Soybeanoi l can actual l y do more harm than the good of the vitamin because it isvery high in trans fats (these are the bad fats) and can cause al l sortsof heart problems as wel l as obesity. Another unnecessary fi l l e r to beon the lookout for is art i f i cia l color. Art i f ic ia l colors have proven tobe carcinogenic and many people are al le rgic to them too.

In conclusion, wonderfu l herbal remedies that been around since longago are sti l l avai lab le to help people round the wor ld today with manyheal th concerns. And in addition to these great finds, modern scienceand growers offer a variety of other choices l ike antioxidant vitamins,natura l sources of important vitamins and minerals, extracts, natura l orsynthetic vitamins to supplement the diet. Here’s to good heal th!