Archive for Benefits
Discovering the Benefits of Bamboo
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Very few people know the true power and versatility of bamboo. Once thought of as just another landscaping grass, bamboo is quickly becoming a great alternative to wood products. There are over 1,500 types of bamboo available, though just over two percent of those types are currently being used as a material.
The Asians have utilized bamboo for centuries, used in their food, their shelter, and their daily life. Ancient Asians used bamboo as a paper product, created homes and furniture with dried bamboo, and even used it in soups. Yet, bamboo can be used for some much more.
When dried and treated, bamboo is a very rigid wood, which can be used in flooring for homes. While at times expensive, bamboo is a great alternative because it can so quickly be replenished in nature. Bamboo can hold up in most any element, which is why it was so valuable to the ancient civilizations of Asia. It’s durability and strength makes bamboo an excellent choice for building material.
Bamboo is often seen in construction due to its rigidity and core strength. It is no wonder that previous generations in America used dried bamboo stalks as fishing poles. The bamboo stalks were durable enough to hold when a fish was hooked. Bamboo is still used in small towns across America, though western and European cultures comprehend its value beyond the every day fishing pole or wind chimes.
Since bamboo is a grass, it is a renewable resource. It needs very little room to grow, since certain varieties grow upwards to sixty feet. It generally takes weeks for the grass to grow back once harvested and continues to grow year round. It is these certain attributes that make bamboo quite beneficial to modern civilization.
However, if you are planning on adding bamboo to your current garden, it is advisable to do your homework first. Bamboo, while easy to maintain, can be tricky to remove from your land once it is planted, so make sure that you have the proper plant for your climate, garden and abilities. Once planted, all you will need to do is keep it watered regularly- after all, bamboo requires a great deal of water- and trim it to the appropriate length and width you desire. With over 1,500 varieties of bamboo available, it can get pretty tricky trying to find the perfect plant for your yard. This is why researching your grass is so important. There are varieties that have both clumpers and runners, then bamboo which have one or the other. Clumpers tend to grow outward, while runners grow upwards. Depending on your garden, you will need to decide which one is best suited for you.
The Chinese consider bamboo to be extremely lucky, so having this evergreen in your yard or home can bring much luck to your family. Though lucky bamboo is not traditionally bamboo, but more of a houseplant per se, it is still lucky. And anyone who has bamboo in their yard should consider himself or herself lucky, for they have planted one of nature’s greatest grass and are giving back to the planet they love.
Blair LeMire is a writer, director, producer, and artist who first garnered the attention of the international press in 1998 when he performed his song Linda Angel at the vigil held for Linda McCartney at London’s Trafalgar Square. The heartfelt tribute attracted the attention of news cameras, and his impromptu performance was elevised internationally.
Vitamin Benefits, Sources and Deficiency
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Vitamins are organic substances necessary in very small amounts to direct different processes within living cells. Even though vitamins offer no energy benefits to the body directly, they do help set free the energy stored in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Thus, most vitamins help chemical reactions to take place. The human body does not produce most of the vitamins it requires and must obtain them from foods.
When taken as a dietary supplement in the daily diet, they help balance out the deficiencies of improper eating habits, overcooked foods, and non-nutritive processed foods. Vitamins are also critical in the production of red blood cells and the protection of the nervous, skeletal, and immune system.
Humans require 13 essential vitamins.
Four are fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E, and K), and the remaining nine are water-soluble (Vitamins C and the eight B-complex vitamins: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin B-12, biotin, and pantothenic acid).
Solubility refers to how a vitamin is absorbed, transported, and stored in the body. The water-soluble vitamins are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Extra water-soluble vitamins are removed by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Fat-soluble vitamins are usually transported in the blood by special proteins and excess gets stored in the fatty tissues of the body rather than excreted.
Some of the vitamins and their benefits are as follows –
Beta-carotene protects against cancer, memory loss and heart disease.
It helps improve vision and fight skin disorders, such as psoriasis and eczema, protect throat, mouth, and lungs from pre-cancerous cells.
It is best to get beta-carotene through dietary sources, as artificial supplementation in high doses is still controversial. Rich dietary sources are yellow, orange and green leafy vegetables.
Biotin is used in the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It also helps in energy production and can to a certain extent help people with diabetes by keep glucose levels reduced. Other benefits include healthy hair, skin, nails, reducing tiredness, heartburn and some allergies.
Folic acid (Vitamin B9) – is an important vitamin for women who are trying to conceive and those already pregnant. It helps to make the heart healthy, increases overall energy level and helps combat
Alzheimer’s disease.
Good sources of folic acid are leafy green vegetables, liver and fruits.
Vitamin A is a very effective antioxidant. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy vision, keeps the cells of the skin healthy, helps relieve skin disorders, boosts the immune system and helps in early healing of wounds.
Older people should not take vitamin A supplements because they are at risk for vitamin A toxicity.
Vitamin a is found as retinol in milk, butter, cheese, egg yolk, liver and fatty fish; as carotenes in milk, carrots, tomatoes, dark green vegetables.
Vitamin B2 is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates (to produce energy) and amino acids. It also helps keep mucous membranes (such as those lining the mouth) healthy.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious health complications such as nerve damage, weak muscles, depression, memory problem, anaemia, and stunted growth in children. It also helps the formation and regeneration of red blood cells, along with the proper functioning of nerves.
Rich sources are meat, eggs and milk. Almost no plant foods contain B12. Fortified breakfast cereals are a useful source.
Vitamin B1 is necessary for proper metabolism of sugar and starch to provide energy. It helps maintain a healthy nervous system as well as aid in the proper functioning of the heart and other muscles. Stress increases the need for B-1 and all B vitamins.
Cereals, nuts and pulses are rich sources. Green vegetables, fruits and fortified cereals contain this vitamin.
Vitamin C has helps in the production of the protein – collagen, boosts the immune system, protects artery linings, and helps in the prevention of cataracts.
Good dietary sources are citrus fruits, berries, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes.
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, thereby helping to form and maintain strong bones. Best source is sunlight. Dietary sources include oily fish, egg yolk, fortified breakfast cereals.
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, which helps in the protection against heart disease, some types of cancers, boosts the immune system, and acts as an aid in the healing of injuries.
Good dietary sources are common vegetable oils and the products made from them,, wheat germ, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin K is beneficial because it helps in blood clotting and helps to strengthen bones and counter osteoporosis.
Can overdose of vitamins be harmful -
Extra vitamin in the diet can be harmful, especially when taken as supplements. Overdoses of fat-soluble vitamins are particularly dangerous because the excess gets stored in the body, thereby increasing the risk of toxicity. Although all vitamins do not show toxicity nature.
What can vitamin deficiency lead to?
Intake of required vitamins below the recommended levels can have adverse effects on health, even though not low enough to cause a deficiency disease.
If the deficiency is for a persistently long time, then one could develop characteristic deficiency symptoms. For example, vitamin B deficiency can cause anaemia, beriberi. Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness.
Low intake of folic acid increases a woman’s chance of delivering a baby with a defective neural tube as well as increased heart disease risk
Read more on Vitamin benefits, sources and vitamin deficiency. Visit http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com for Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids
Discover the Benefits of Fish Oil for Skin
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Have you read about this recently? Experts now recommend fish oil for skin care too, apart from all the other great health benefits it offers. Our skin is easily the most abused body part – with the amount of pollution and chemicals it is exposed to, it’s no wonder our skin starts drying and wrinkling pretty early on. So how does fish help our skin? Let’s find out.
Taking fish oil for skin takes care of the four primary skin problems that we face –
1) Wrinkles
2) Age Spots
3) Dryness
4) Acne or Psoriasis
According to research published in the Journal for Lipid Research, Omega 3 oil helps in preventing our skin from wrinkling. EPA Omega 3 fats regulate the cellular function in the skin and maintain its elasticity and smoothness.
EPA also helps in protecting the skin from the damage caused by the UV rays of the sun. The UV rays are also responsible for age spot formation. This again, can be avoided by taking an oil containing EPA.
Fish oil skin benefits also include preventing our skin from drying by keeping it nourished and hydrated. Also, the DHA fats in the oil have tremendous anti-inflammatory properties. Since Acne and Psoriasis are also signs of inflammation in the skin, the DHA content of the oil helps in controlling these problems to a great extent.
Now, you can get all these skin health benefits by eating an Omega 3 rich fish regularly. However, there are two problems in this – One, it would be difficult to regularly eat fish as a staple part of your diet, unless you really love fish. Two, the fish can contain many contaminants found in ocean water. These can effectively negate any benefits you would get by taking fish oil for skin.
The solution lies in taking a good fish oil supplement. Look for a supplement made from a fish rich in DHA and EPA – both the essential fats. Most fish contain just one of them. The Hoki is one such fish. It is found in New Zealand and is rich in both DHA and EPA, with DHA being the dominant amongst them.
Taking a supplement will also ensure that you do not ingest any contaminants, as the oil would be thoroughly refined and concentrated before being packaged.
Put this to the test right away. Taking fish oil for skin could be the best beauty tip I can give you. It’s effective, it’s natural, and it’s easy on the pocket. What more can you ask for?
Visit my website today to learn more about fish oil health and other fish oil supplements I’ve discovered that I’d like to share with you.
Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3Information. To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com
Benefits of Vitamin C, Sources and Deficiency
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Vitamin C is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important for the formation of collagen – a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.
Vitamin C is also known as, ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, the antiscorbutic vitamin, L-xyloascorbic acid. This vitamin is considered a cure-all for many diseases and problems – from cancer to common cold.
Yet, the interesting fact is that this miracle vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body, and needs to be ingested.
Benefits of Vitamin C -
« Vitamin C serves a predominantly protective role in the body.
« Vitamin C is required in the synthesis of collagen in connective tissue, steroid hormones, conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.
« It is a great antioxidant and helps protect the body against pollutants.
« It assists in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and strengthening the walls of the capillaries.
« As vitamin C is a biological reducing agent, it is also helps prevention of degenerative diseases – such as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
« Ascorbic acid promotes healthy cell development, proper calcium absorption, normal tissue growth and repair – such as healing of wounds and burns.
« Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums, to help protect against infection, helps reduce cholesterol level, high blood pressure and prevents arteriosclerosis.
What does deficiency of vitamin C lead to?
When there is a deficiency of vitamin C in the body, various problems can arise.
A shortage of vitamin C may result in hemorrhages under the skin and a tendency to bruise easily, poor wound healing, weakness, poor digestion, bleeding gums and loose teeth.
Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with a variety of conditions including hypertension, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers.
Edema (water retention) also takes place due to a shortage of vitamin C, along with painful joints, bronchial infection and colds.
Scurvy is the only disease that is treated with vitamin C.
Dosage
During the therapeutic use of this vitamin, the dosage is usually increased significantly, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
The average (Recommended dietary allowance) RDA is 60-80mg, per day.
For adolescents it is 80 mg, 75 mg for adults, 100 mg during pregnancy and 150 mg during lactation.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C is 60 to 90 milligrams per day. Men should consume more vitamin C than women and individuals who smoke cigarettes are encouraged to consume 35 more mg of vitamin C than average adults. This is because smoking depletes vitamin C levels in the body and is a catalyst for biological processes, which damage cells.
What are deficiency symptoms of vitamin C in a person?
Symptoms of scurvy, the vitamin C deficiency disease include –
« Bleeding gums (gingivitis) and skin discolouration due to ruptured blood vessels.
« Poor wound healing.
« Weak immune function, including vulnerability to cold and other infections.
Sources of vitamin C -
Eating a variety of foods that contain vitamin C is the best way to get the required amount each day.
Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet do not need Vitamin C supplements.
Since the body does not produce vitamin C, it must be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Some excellent sources of vitamin C are oranges, olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, kiwi fruit, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and citrus juices or juices fortified with Vitamin C.
Amla or the Indian gooseberry is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried, powdered form.
Raw and cooked leafy greens (turnip, spinach), red and green peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is sensitive to light, air, and heat, so it is best to eat fruits and vegetables raw, or minimally cooked in order to retain their full vitamin C content.
How to prepare and store foods to retain vitamin C -
Vitamin C can be lost from foods during preparation, cooking, or storage. To prevent loss of vitamin C:
· Serve fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible.
· Steam, boil, or cook foods in a very small amount of water, or microwave them for the shortest time possible.
· Cook potatoes in their skins. Be sure to wash off the dirt on the outside of the potato.
· Refrigerate prepared juices and store them for no more than two to three days.
· Store cut and raw fruits, vegetables in an airtight container and refrigerate – do not soak or store in water. Vitamin C gets dissolved in the water.
Consumption of vitamin C rich foods in their fresh, raw form is the best way to maximize vitamin C intake.
Read more on benefits of vitamin c, sources and vitamin c deficiency.
Visit http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com for Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids
The Benefits of Using Personalized Stationery For Just About Anything
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Whether you have a business or you want something special for writing to your pen pal, personalized stationery makes a favorable impression.
Self-employed people such as freelance writers or graphic designers might also want to think about getting some personalized stationery because it makes them appear a lot more professional than their competitors. Starting up a new business or becoming self-employed is a big step in a person’s life so why not mark your change of lifestyle by getting some personalized stationery that could help to get your business off the ground.
There are different types of personalized stationery on the market today.
If you want to send a birthday card with a difference, then why not splash out on a card that has the recipient’s name. Whether you have young children or a couple of teenagers, you can make them feel important with kids’ cards in a variety of styles that can be personalized with their name or nickname. If you’re thinking of getting married and you are looking for some unusual wedding invitations, then why not make your potential guests feel special by having them personalized.
Personalized and designer stationery is a lot more affordable than you might think. When you buy customized stationery online you can save quite a bit on the prices that you may have seen at your local store. If you’re looking for an unusual gift then why not give a friend or relative a personalized stationery set. You’d be amazed at the number of people who would really love having stationery that is customized for them.
If you’re tired of the same old Christmas cards you see in the stores, then why not take a look online where you might find some quality Christmas stationery.
Stationery shops carry a limited amount of stock because their business has to take account of how much bricks and mortar they have. Online stationery providers don’t have the same overhead as your local store, and because they can source their products from a number of places, they generally have a much wider choice of stationery and stationery gifts.
When you buy customized stationery over the internet you can do it from the comfort of your own home, the internet allows you to do your shopping without having to consider what the weather is like for the day.
If you want to buy a gift for the man who has everything then you might want to consider some monogrammed stationery. There is something innately personal about monogrammed stationery and it will make the person who receives it feel extra special.
There is nothing that kids detest more than writing thank you letters to relatives who have sent birthday and Christmas presents. Why not make the chore of thank you letters a bit more pleasant by getting them some personalized kids’ stationery, they’ll be so pleased with their cool new notepads, that you just might have trouble getting them to stop writing letters or sending gifts.
Next time you’re looking for birthday cards or seasonal stationery you may want to consider taking a look online. Internet shopping is increasingly popular these days, not only for its convenience, but because anything you buy online is usually a good deal cheaper than goods bought from your local store.
Why not get some wedding invitations that everyone will remember, personalized and embossed stationery is ideal for something that most people will want to keep.
Jason Creation – We have everything from your own Personalized Stationary to your other Personalized Stationery, whatever you need, we have it.
Benefits of Vitamin A, Sources and Deficiency
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Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and plays an important role in vision, development and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, mucous membranes; immune functions; and reproduction.
Vitamin A is also called retinol. It may be found in any of these forms:
· retinol – the animal form of vitamin A
· other retinoids – retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and related compounds
· carotenoids – organic pigments that are naturally occurring in plants.
Daily requirement of Vitamin A –
Measurement of the amount of vitamin A is taken in retinol activity equivalents (RAE).
The recommended daily requirement for vitamin A is 700 RAE (retinol activity equivalent) per day for women and 900 RAE per day for men. The requirements are different for growing children, during puberty, and for women who are pregnant or lactating; therefore, please consult your doctor for differences.
Benefits of Vitamin A –
« Vitamin A promotes healthy surface linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts.
« Helps the skin and mucous membranes function as a barrier to bacteria and viruses.
What are the good sources of Vitamin A?
Eating a variety of foods that contain vitamin A (and carotenes) is the best way to get an adequate amount. Fit individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements. In fact, too much vitamin A can be toxic.
Alcohol, coffee, or excessive iron can all deplete the body’s supply of this essential vitamin. But, the good news is that vitamin A is readily available from numerous food sources.
It can be obtained from food in two different forms –
1. Pre-formed vitamin A (called retinol or retinal), found in animal sources. Sources include liver, whole milk, and some fortified food products.
2. Pro-vitamin A (beta-carotene), from plant sources. Come from colourful fruits and vegetables.
The top ten vitamin A-rich foods:
· liver
· sweet potato
· carrots
· mango
· spinach
· cantaloupe
· dried apricots
· milk
· egg yolk
· mozzarella cheese
Low fat and skimmed milk is often fortified with vitamin A because it is removed from milk with the fat.
Vitamin A in foods that come from animals is well absorbed and used efficiently by the body. Vitamin A in foods that come from plants is not as well absorbed as animal sources of vitamin A.
A word of caution:
Too much vitamin A, either from animal sources or supplements, can prove toxic and is particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Excess beta carotene, on the other hand, isn’t toxic but can give one a distinct orange hue.
What are the risks associated with vitamin A deficiency?
Zinc is required to make retinol binding protein (RBP) which transports vitamin A in the body. Therefore, a deficiency of zinc limits the body’s ability to move vitamin A from the liver to body tissues.
« Night blindness is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency.
« Vitamin A deficiency diminishes the ability to fight infections, such as pneumonia.
« Deficiency may increase a child’s risk of developing respiratory infections, diarrhea, decreased growth rate, slow bone development, and decrease likelihood of survival from serious illness.
Vegans who do not consume eggs and dairy foods need provitamin A carotenoids to meet their need for vitamin A. They should include a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables in their daily diet and regularly choose dark green leafy vegetables and orange and yellow fruits to fulfil recommended amounts of vitamin A.
Vitamin A storage –
Vitamins are easily destroyed and washed out during food preparation and storage.
« If you want to get the maximum vitamin possible from food, refrigerate fresh produce, and keep milk and grains away from strong light.
« Vitamin A can be lost from foods during preparation, cooking, or storage. To retain vitamin A:
« Serve fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible.
« Keep vegetables and fruits covered and refrigerated during storage.
« Steam vegetables , roast or bake meats instead of frying. Some vitamin A is lost in the fat during frying.
« If you take vitamin supplements, store them at room temperature in a dry place that is free of moisture.
What happens if Vitamin A is taken too much?
Some research suggests that having more than an average of 1.5mg per day of vitamin A over many years may affect bones and make them more likely to fracture when older.
Older people, particularly women, are already at risk of osteoporosis. This is where bone density reduces and so the risk of fractures increases.
If pregnant, having large amounts of vitamin A can harm your unborn baby. Therefore, if you are pregnant or thinking of having a baby, you should avoid eating liver or liver products because these are very high in vitamin A. You should also avoid taking supplements that contain vitamin A.
Read more on Vitamin A benefits, vitamin a food sources and deficiency.
Also Visit http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com for Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids