Archive for April, 2011

When It Comes to Sugar, Is It All Bad?

I recently saw a full-page ad in a National Geographic magazine from the 1970s stating that the medical community encouraged daily consumption of sugar for good health. The abundance of “foods” like processed cheese and Twinkies during my childhood suddenly made a bit more sense.

However, about three months ago I discovered with my doctor that I was well on my way to developing adult-onset diabetes and a dangerously high Body Mass Index. To begin turning this trend around, I had to basically eliminate sugar from my diet.

Sugar has been blamed not only for these two issues, but also for acne, tooth decay, cardiovascular disease and mood disorders. But as I turned to all-natural foods and alternative sweeteners, I had to wonder whether or not they were any worse for me than the good old-fashioned white refined sugar I had been eating my entire life.

Is There Such a Thing as Good Sugar?

The short answer is yes. Within hours of entering the world, newborn babies get their first taste of sugar – in the form of glucose – from breast milk or formula. The sweetness connects with the baby’s satisfaction relating to a sense of calm and a full tummy.

The human body is designed to survive on the chemical form of sugar called glucose. This carbohydrate is found in a variety of foods, like fruit, vegetables and starches, provides our cells with energy, and helps regulate our metabolism.

Sugar is Everywhere

The American Heart Association recommends a daily intake of five to nine teaspoons of sugar per day for the average person. This may be a challenge once you start keeping track of your personal sugar intake.

If you take a look around your cupboards or pantry and begin reading labels, you’ll soon find that sugar is literally everywhere. The refined, white sucrose – table sugar – is only one of the many kinds of sugar found within our regular diets.

  • glucose – the broad dietary sugar used for energy
  • lactose – milk sugar
  • fructose – sugar found in fruit
  • maltose – also known as malts, found in honey and rice malt
  • jam – high in fruit sugar
  • syrup – including maple and corn

Another form of sugar that you may read on the labels is High Fructose Corn Syrup, a form of sugar that is manufactured using corn (http://dietblurbs.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup-health-cons/). It’s similar to sucrose, but is mixed with fructose in such a way that makes it sweeter and more difficult to digest.

When Good Sugar Goes Bad

It turns out that although necessary for survival, not all sugar is considered “good.” Glucose, combined with the vitamins, minerals, fiber and nutrients provided by food found in nature, gives us the energy and nourishment we need to function. When this chemical is refined, it is stripped of all of the packaging – i.e. vitamins, nutrients, and minerals – that make it appropriate in healthy quantities. Once refined, sugar constitutes empty calories, which deplete our bodies of stored nutrients in order to digest.

Refined sugar also messes with the balance of insulin in our bodies. Because these empty calories require so much insulin to keep blood-sugar levels in balance, our either stop responding to the insulin that’s produced, or the pancreas stops producing enough insulin to balance the sugar. The result is the buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, also known as diabetes.

The Cost of Convenience

Food that is processed, packaged and consumed in the name of convenience adds about 22 teaspoons of sugar per day into each person’s diet, which equals 156 pounds of sugar per person per year.

Unfortunately, a great deal of these processed food products are made with high fructose corn syrup. Beginning in the 1970s, this manufactured sugar made from corn became cheap to produce in the United States, encouraging manufacturers to incorporate it into their products. You may expect to find high fructose corn syrup in sweets, like candy, cookies or cake, but it can also be found in sauces used in cooking, crackers, breads, chips, condiments, soups, and a variety of beverages.

Because processed foods are cheaper to produce, they are generally cheaper to buy. A two-liter of sugary soda is considered a better value because it costs less to purchase than an eight-ounce can. This “good value” increases our intake of calories, sugar, and fat without providing any basic nutritional benefits as well as contributing to present and future health problems.

Back to Nature

When it comes to sugar, I think it’s unrealistic to try and discard all traces. Many foods found in nature contain glucose, along with fiber and nutrients to help regulate blood sugar.

If a sweetener is required in your diet, there are several that are available that come from natural sources:

  • raw sugar
  • honey
  • agave nectar
  • stevia
  • xylotol

These sweeteners, such as agave nectar, stevia, and xylotol, have a low glycemic index which helps balance out insulin and blood sugar, preventing drastic highs and lows. The flavors of these sweeteners are also stronger than regular table sugar, so less is required to achieve the sweetness you desire, especially in cooking or baking.

I have personally decided that white table sugar is not for me, turning to fruit and even some vegetables to wean myself from that intense sweetness. My body, though at first not happy about it, is now thanking me for it!

Kelly Wilson is a busy mom and freelance writer. Find out more about how sugar effects the health of your smile by visiting Dr. Lance Heppler, a Dentist in Vancouver, WA.

 

The Good and Bad Effects of Sugar on Kids

There is no question that cookies, cakes and candies are some of the children’s favourite snacks. But do you really know what’s inside these snacks? There is one common denominator among all these snacks and that is sugar. Parents normally think that sugar is not highly recommended for children but this is a misconception. Sugar has both good and bad effects on children and it is best that parents know what they are.

Sugar is not really a bad content in food. In fact, sugar is needed by the body to function well. So, what are the good effects of sugar on children? For one, sugar that is found in fruits and vegetables are proven to be very healthy for children. Yogurt and cereal also contain a good amount of sugar. Another good effect of sugar on children is that it gives them energy. Kids are very active and they need plenty of energy to be able to study and play during the day. By consuming the right type and amount of sugar, children are more energetic and lively. Furthermore, sugar is also said to produce more serotonin in the brain, a hormone that makes any person feel instantly happy.

On the other hand, there are also bad effects of sugar on children. One of the main contributing factors to obesity in both children and adults is sugar. The science behind this is because by taking loads of sugar, a child’s insulin level will increase and will suddenly drop which causes the hunger and thus overeating. Furthermore, because of obesity, sugar might also increase the likelihood of diabetes. Another bad effect of sugar on children is that those who love eating sweets are more prone to painful cavities and tooth decays.

Nonetheless, it is very important to note the role of parents in allowing their children to eat sweets. It doesn’t mean that children should be deprived of their favourite snacks; it just has to be done in moderation.

G.S. Lacdao is a freelancer who writes for Special Education Parents Action Community where you can find information about special education for children with special needs, and share your stories with other members via the online forum.

 

Natural Supplements Fulfill Anti Aging Objectives

Anti-aging – a dream of anyone living on this planet if, he is facing the symptoms of aging. Youthfulness not just brings appreciation from people around you, but also makes you capable of fighting with diseases. One can fully enjoy life with balanced hormones; because, hormones are life secretions. It’s just a waste to spend heavy money on buying skin care products if, hormonal treatments are available.

Feeling Young Is Not Enough – Performing Young Is The Most Needed Thing

Youthfulness doesn’t mean you just feel that you are young; it’s about maintaining good performance in all life activities. Lack of strength forces you not to be involved in different sports or other activities. You get tired early and seem losing interest in life. Your friends might get annoyed because of your bad mood and poor attention. Relationship also suffers because of poor hormonal balance and lack of young spirits.

Life Loses Interest As We Grow Old

At puberty, people are full of energy and also active in different activities, but this activeness decline with age. After 40, the interest diminishes to high extent. Aloofness occupies people and they become easily bored. Reduced levels of hormones are the basic reason behind this shift in mood. After 40, the level of hormones experience peak decline because in women stage of menopause also comes near. This situation needs a serious support in the form of hormonal balance that is possible to bring with best HGH supplements.

Natural Supplements Are Better To Boost HGH

Natural supplements help in enhancing the level of hormones in human body that decline with age. Your skin, nails, and hair also become beautiful if there is found a hormonal balance in your body. Memory, stamina, strength, brain functioning are the areas that see improvement through hormonal supplements.

It’s Legal To Buy Natural HGH Supplements

HGH injections as used in start to treat hormone deficient children were considered illegal to be used without prescription. At present the rules are made stricter, but supplements carrying natural composition are excluded. The sale and purchase of these supplements is lawful. Herbal supplements are also safe to health with minimum side effects, and also legal to buy. Look for online portals that are providing such supplements and also offering free home delivery; it will lower your cost.

Natural Supplements Are Also Cost Effective

Another very important factor that makes natural supplements more popular among targeted consumers is the cost involved. The cost is compensated in the form of resulting benefits. These supplements are within budget range of average people who can’t afford expensive HGH therapies.

With all natural HGH products, one can enjoy life to fullest. These products enable glands to release hormone in a natural way therefore bringing a hormonal balance in body. This balance stays for longer as compared to synthetic HGH produced in laboratories and used for enhancing human HGH.

Along with nutritional supplements, healthy diet and exercise also play a very important role in improving hormonal release by master gland. This is more natural way, but needs your commitment for best results.

 

Keeping Blood Sugar Levels in Check

One of the greatest health issues of the twenty first century is the condition called diabetes. Diabetes is the health condition where the body is either unable to produce the hormone insulin or has become resistant to its naturally produced insulin. When the body is unable to produce insulin or becomes insulin resistant, blood glucose levels increase in the bloodstream. This would lead to many health complications in the individual in the long run.

When these glucose levels are high, they cause renal issues and cardiovascular problems in the individual. Also, without insulin, the body is unable to utilize blood glucose, which is the fuel for cell functions. Without such fuel, the cells are unable to function properly and eventually die, leading to organ distress and failure.

Many dismiss the saying that eating too much sugar would cause diabetes as an old wives tale. This may partially be true, as sugar when processed by the body becomes blood glucose. This though is not the only source of blood glucose. Eating too much, especially high carbohydrate food, without activity to burn the retained blood glucose would lead to excess levels retained in the blood stream. This is often what happens with obese individuals and the condition they develop is called Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or onset diabetes.

If an individual develops Type 2 Diabetes, then the risk of acquiring health complications increases. These include cardiovascular problems, renal failure, diabetes retinopathy, slow healing from injuries and cuts and other health problems. It is thus imperative to undertake lifestyle changes in order to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The following are the ways to manage your sugar intake in order to prevent the development of diabetes:

  • Lower the intake of sugar in the food eaten during the day;
  • Lower the volume of food eaten during the day;
  • Undertake a regular exercise regimen;
  • Avoid skipping meals or snacks;
  • Have regular check ups especially blood sugar level checks.

Diabetes does not occur overnight. It is the accumulation of blood glucose in the bloodstream due to high sugar and carbohydrate diets without the proper avenues in order to expend this accumulated energy sources. Often, high blood glucose levels would be discovered during ordinary blood testing. When the blood glucose levels are high, it is often called borderline diabetes. Depending upon the age and the weight of the individual, proper blood glucose levels would be determined to see if the individual is already a diabetic or a borderline case.

Sugar plays a major role in the development of diabetes in the individual. Too many sweets in the diet together with a problematic insulin delivery system and a poor exercise regimen can definitely result in the development of diabetes in an individual. The congruence of all these factors can lead to problems with an individual’s overall health and well being. Thus, managing your sweet tooth, doing more exercise and eating healthy food would help in keeping your body healthy and prevent the development of diabetes in your system.

For more information on dieting, sugar and diabetes in general, do visit us at www.diabetesforum.com.

 

Sugar: The Full Fat Truth

As any biological scientist will tell you, we need sugar. Glucose, a simple monosaccharide, is the fuel required by our cells in order to provide energy. Even our brain gets through 20-30% of our calories per day just by burning its sugar fix to think about problems, regulate our body processes and handle the thousands of things we’re not even consciously aware of. Every source of food we take in is digested, dismantled and converted into sugar to feed the furnace of our bodies, plus the other proteins, fats and minerals that we need as part of a healthy diet.

Unfortunately, our history as hunter-gatherers in times when food was scarce has coloured our thinking for countless generations. We all have a genetic predisposition to like food sources that are high in sugar, because these represent good sources of energy to help us survive. It’s not helped either, by the fact that many of these natural food sources (such as fruit) tend to be brightly coloured to attract the attention of hungry mammals! When meals were not guaranteed on a daily basis, a good hit of sugar from a ripe apple or starchy tuber would often mean the difference between life and starvation . . . it’s no wonder, really, why our brain responds with pleasure whenever we locate a source of this wonderful substance.

Fast forward a few thousand years and for most of us in the developed world, regular mealtimes are not a rarity. We tend to receive all the sugar our body needs through the digestion of our day-to-day diet, but we still have the little buzz of pleasure as our brain rewards us for finding sugary treats and snacks. In addition to usually being piled with glucose which takes virtually no time to absorb, they are often packed with other sugars such as fructose (another monosaccharide) and sucrose; a disaccharide that the body digests and splits into glucose and fructose.

In short, sugar-rich snacks help load the body with additional calories the body doesn’t need (what some diet specialists call “empty calories”). What isn’t burnt off by our normal biological functions or exercise is stored, first in the liver as a compound called glycogen which can quickly be converted into glucose should a quick burst of additional energy be needed, then as fat for longer term storage. It’s this last substance that gets all the negative press, but as with all food groups we actually need a small amount of fat each day as this is one of our natural sources of sugar, amongst other things. Consume too much sugar however, and our body reverses the process and stores this additional energy as fat, picking all those locations you hate exposing at the beach, but also around your internal organs and throughout muscle tissue which have more serious long-term health issues.

Beware biscuits or snacks that proudly claim they have less than 1 or 2 per cent fat! Chances are they are still loaded with sugar that will end up as fat if you have enough sugar in your regular meals already, or existing fat to burn in your body. Advice on sugar consumption is difficult, as we assimilate sugar from so many sources, but it’s advised that non-diabetics have no more than 40 grammes (that’s 10 teaspoons) of added sugar per day.

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Steve Jones works for a credit card company and is a keen amateur fencer and martial artist in his spare time.

Good Diet is Equal to Good Health-So Follow Proper Diet

Maintaining proper health is extremely important and in order to maintain good health, you will have to follow some strict health strategies like exercising, a proper diet, practical and stress free living. In order to maintain good health, you can also get some health plans and health insurance policies. The insurance policies provide you coverage in times of medical emergencies. However, the most important thing about your health is proper diet.

Maintaining proper diet

This is a time of high living costs and the costs are increasing day by day. So, how can you follow healthy diet without spending too much? First of all you will have to decide what kind of diet you need and which is the one that you want to follow. Then you will have to follow a diet chart according to that.

  1. Include fruits and vegetables – You can include fruits and vegetables in your diet and avoid cooking foods all the while. This helps you to maintain good health and also save money on gas and spices. Moreover, fruits won’t cost you lots of money. It is better to buy fruits and vegetable s as such rather than the canned ones and this also saves you dollars.
  2. Include protein rich foods – You can include protein rich foods in your diet like eggs, cheese, beans, and dairy products and so on. If you use these instead of fish and meat, you will be able to save lots of dollars. You can include the fish and meat as and when needed rather than having those on all the days.
  3. Include grains in your diet – Another great diet item is the grains. Long and short and brown grains help you in maintaining good health and are also low on costs. For example, rice is the best example of grain and it goes with almost anything starting from vegetables and beans. You can also make your meals interesting by making rice puddings and casseroles out of it.

It is always better to avoid crash diet courses as these hurt your health rather than helping you in any way. You may even end up in the hospital and as a result, you will end up in debt. So, it is really important for you follow a practical diet plan too. You can a also save money on your diet and health plans if you plan your diet at the beginning and then go grocery shopping.

 

Difference Between Dietitian and Nutritionist

Many individuals today are beginning to focus their efforts on consuming a healthy diet, getting adequate exercise, and controlling their weight. Some people may seek the help of a professional, such as a dietician or nutritionist. Below we will
discuss the key differences between dietitians and nutritionists, as well as ways that individuals with these credentials can help you reach your health and wellness goals.

What is a Dietitian?

Dietitians help prevent and treat various diseases through the teaching of proper nutrition. They may perform the following tasks:

  • plan nutritional programs
  • supervise the preparation of meals
  • recommend dietary changes in clients who need assistance with certain issues

Requirements for Dietitians

Dietitians must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, food services management, or other related areas. Many states also require dietitians to be registered with the state in which they will be practicing. This helps differentiate them from
others who may profess to be experts on nutrition but who may not have the necessary knowledge.

Dietitians must have knowledge regarding the body and its organ systems, as well as all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for optimal health and disease prevention. Much of this is obtained through a four year degree from an
accredited college or university. Registered Dietitians must pass an additional examination after completing their degree and a supervised internship. Master’s degree programs are also available for those who want to advance to higher levels of
service in this field or who wish to eventually work in management positions.

What Dietitians Do

Clinical dietitians provide nutritional services to patients in hospitals, outpatient health centers, nursing homes and other health facilities. They help assess the nutritional needs of patients and then work together with doctors and other professionals to develop a nutritional program designed specifically for each patient’s needs.

Community Dietitians help to prevent disease and promote better health through public health centers and health maintenance organizations. They may provide educational resources such as helping people learn to develop healthy shopping lists. Additionally, they often help parents to assist their children in learning about nutrition and making wise dietary choices.

What is a Nutritionist?

The term nutritionist is not legally protected or recognized in the United States. Any individual can claim to be a nutritionist without necessarily having formal training or education. That being said, not all people who claim to be nutritionists are void of qualifications. However, care should be taken when seeking or following advice from someone claiming to be a nutritionist.

Requirements for Nutritionists

While dietitians must acquire a bachelor’s degree at minimum, there are no legally protected requirements for someone wishing to be known as a nutritionist. It is not uncommon for individuals with no health training whatsoever to define themselves with this title, and they may often be distributors of various vitamin or herbal supplements. As stated, care should be taken in seeking advice from a nutritionist.

What Nutritionists Do

Nutritionists often work in their own practices since certain degrees and qualifications are required when working for a hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility. If they are truly qualified, they may be able to provide advice on how to eat healthier, how to prepare foods in a healthy manner, and how to control weight.

How Professionals Can Help You

Educated professionals in these fields can be of great assistance in the following:

  • Preparing shopping lists
  • Select dietary supplements
  • Helping plan for healthy meals
  • Reducing fat and sodium intake
  • Assisting those with diabetes and other diseases
  • Educating children about healthy dietary choices
  • Controlling weight through dietary modifications

Always seek advice from highly qualified professionals for the best and safest results.

 

Is Your Protein Intake Helping or Hurting?

We all know protein is an important part of a healthy diet, but what happens when your protein intake is too high or too low? I’m sure you have all heard the phrase “balanced diet” in context with living a healthy lifestyle. Well that is just what getting proper nutrition is a balancing act. The right amount of protein is essential to a healthy and nutritious diet, however too much can add extra pounds, and also have other harmful effects on your body.

Let’s start with talking about what a protein actually is and how our bodies use them. A protein is made up of amino acids, 20 of which are found commonly in food. However, there are only 9 that the body cannot make itself, often called the essential 9. We must consume enough foods rich in these 9 amino acids, the other 11 are also found in foods but our body can adequately synthesis them. The essential 9 are as follows; Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Theronine, Tryptophan, and Valine. The other 11 are; Alanine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, Cyteine, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Serine, and Tyrosine. All those amino acids make up proteins, and those proteins go on to do some very important tasks in our bodies. Proteins are responsible for growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues. They are found in all enzymes, hormones and antibodies; protein maintains fluid and acid-base balance in the body and can provide energy. Protein is even part of our DNA. Now that we have gone over some basic facts, let me clarify a huge protein myth. “Eating excess protein does not increase muscle size or strength, make bones stronger, or increase immunity. What excess protein does do is contribute to excess calories (which are stored as fat)” (Dr. Fahm 2011).

If you are the average American you probably don’t need to be concerned with consuming enough protein. The average American eats well over the recommended amount set by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). Americans seem to put more importance on protein intake (animal products) than other essential food groups such as grains, fruits, and vegetables. The over consumption of meat is directly related to a high protein intake. It is very important that you do not take supplements of the above mentioned amino acids if your protein intake is adequate or above the recommended intake level, in doing so you will do more damage to your body than good. “You could disrupt your body’s natural protein synthesis, and in most cases cause the following; loss of appetite, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upsets, which overwork the liver and kidneys that could lead to dehydration,” (Dr. Fahm 2011). You should especially stay away from Tryptophan supplements (unless your diet does not provide adequate amounts). Side effects of Tryptophan overdoses cause serious illness, including painful muscles and joints, weakness, fever, cough, rashes, swelling and in some cases can lead to the disease EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome). “When high protein intake is combined with other common diet mistakes the result can be very damaging. High intake levels of protein with low calcium intake, can lead to lower calcium in the bone. Cardiovascular disease is also associated with high protein, because most foods that are high in protein are also high in fat and low in fiber” (Dr. Fahm 2011).

Knowing the effects of protein only gets you half way there, it is important to know that protein is not only found in animal products. It’s true that animal products do provide more protein per serving, but as mentioned earlier more is not always better. The following is a sample of how much protein (in grams) is in one serving of different food groups and products; “Milk (8ounces) = 9, Soymilk (8 ounces) = 6, Meat (1oz) = 8, Bread, Rice, Pasta = 3, Vegetables = 2, Fruits = 0 (traces), Fats = 0),” (Dr. Fahm 2011). A good tip for the average American is to eat less animal products. Oh, don’t worry I’m not trying to convert you to Vegan but if you are eating meat with every meal it’s too much. To calculate your protein intake (as well as other minerals and vitamins) go to www.mypyramidtracker.gov. This is a very useful accurate web site with lots of information and recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle.

Once you know what your average daily intake of protein is you can make changes in your diet to adjust it to a more desirable amount. Just remember that protein can be hazardous in high doses, but does fabulous things for you when you have the right intake amount. So do yourself a favor and assess your protein intake today!

References
Fahm, E. (2011). Protein and amino acids [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from file.

Nickole Siegman is a student at the University Of Wisconsin – Stout and is a regular contributor for ProbioticSmart.com and PSCLife.com – two of the web’s leading websites for human & animal health and nutrition information and products.

The Health Benefits of Omega-3

It seems that everywhere lately people are talking about the importance of including omega-3s in our diet. However many people may not know exactly what they are, why they are beneficial, or where we can get them.

Why Do We Need Omega-3s?

Omega 3-s are basically a type of unsaturated fat. Many people refer to them as “good fats”. They are essential fatty acids, meaning they are necessary for your body’s good health and functioning. They reduce inflammation in all parts of the body including joints and tissues. They have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. They help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.

Omega-3s also play a role in brain function including behavior, performance, and memory. There are studies linking them to a decreased risk in Alzheimer’s and Attention Deficit Disorder, though nothing is proven conclusive in these areas yet. It is known however that they are vital in growth and development. Infants who don’t receive enough of these fatty acids while in utero are at risk for nerve and vision problems. Adults who are deficient in omega-3s can have symptoms such as fatigue, dry skin, poor memory, mood swings, depression, poor circulation, and heart problems.

How Can We Get The Omega-3s We Need?

Even though omega-3s are essential for good health, our body can not make them. We need to incorporate them into our diet. We can do this by eating foods that are a source of this “good fat”, or by taking a supplement. Omega-3s can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines. They are also found in flaxseeds, soybeans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and their respective oils. Additionally, the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is being added to certain foods such as milk, yogurt, and baby formula.

Another way to get these important fatty acids is by taking fish oil capsules. Adults who are deficient and don’t get enough through diet alone may want to take one of these supplements. Before you do, there are a few things to be aware of. The body is only able to absorb 50 percent of the nutrients from a supplement, but can absorb 90 percent from the whole food. Fish oil capsules can cause gas and diarrhea. It’s also important to make sure the supplement you choose has been processed safely without high levels of mercury and other metals.

The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults eat two servings of fish a week. A serving is about 3.5 ounces when cooked. Those with heart disease should get one gram in a daily supplement. Adults with high cholesterol should increase this daily supplement and get between two and four grams of omega-3 fatty acids. This should only be done under a doctor’s advice because taking too much can lead to bleeding in some people.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging about a variety of health related topics for 3 years; she currently helps people find the best health insurance and advises them how to use a budget calculator for their finances.

5 Amazing Ingredients With Proven Cancer Fighting Properties That You Need to Take Daily

When it comes to your health, cancer is one of the biggest killers you’ll find. It affects one in every three people and that number is rising on a daily basis. The good news is that you can do something about it and start taking control of your own health.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to be immune from sickness and never have even so much as a sniffle, it probably has something to do with their nutrition habits and, more often than not, nutritional supplements
that give the body exactly what it needs to prevent diseases like cancer.

To save you the effort of researching a dozen different ingredients to find out how you can lower your risk of cancer, I’ve gone ahead and compiled the top five ingredients you’ll need to take, and why, if you want to kick
cancer’s ass!

  1. Omega 3 fatty acids. You’ve probably heard of fish oils before so it’s no wonder they are number one on my list. It is the second best selling supplement in America after multivitamins and a number of big studies have shown it is very effective in the prevention of cancer. On such study of over 35,000 women showed that regular doses of omega 3 fatty acids reduced the incidence of cancer by almost 32% of all patients. Pretty incredible stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree
  2. Green tea. Whether you drink it, take it as part of your daily multivitamin or combine the two together as I do, experts are in no doubt that green tea is very beneficial to your health. The powerful antioxidant properties and the EGCG in green tea has been shown to inhibit cancer growth in early stage studies. In fact, one study actually noted an 18% less risk of lung cancer in subjects taking two cups of green tea a day. It also doesn’t hurt that it tastes amazing with honey!
  3. Ginger. The humble ginger root has been used in herbal medication throughout the Chinese dynasty for over 2500 years so they must have a reason for it, right? Well ginger, much like green tea, has really strong antioxidant properties that scavenge for free radical cells in your body that would otherwise cause harm. It is this process that experts believe is the reason why it can inhibit cancerous cells and kill a number
    of bacteria in your body too.
  4. CoQ10 (otherwise know as Coenzyme Q10). CoQ10 is a compound found naturally in the body that is often not in high enough doses. It plays a critical role in the mitochondria that burns or oxidized the food you take. What scientists have found is that when combined with chemotherapy, CoQ10 makes the drugs more effective by reducing toxins in the body that would otherwise slow the killing of cancerous cells by the chemo. Also, very early studies in rats show that CoQ10 could possibly reduce the growth of cancer by over 50% without the need for any kind of chemotherapy. In short, you need to be taking CoQ10 daily!
  5. Lutein. Another cancer fighting ingredient, and once again it’s a powerful antioxidant. Are you starting to see a pattern? Well, the amino acid lutein, well known for its benefits towards the reduction of eye diseases like cataracts, has now also been linked to cancer fighting goodness. In particular, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently found that it lowered colon cancer, the second biggest cancer killer in the United States, by 17%. When you add in the health improvement of your eyes, you can see that we’ve only just scratched the surface of lutein’s potential as a super ingredient.

Of course, now the question remains: how do you get all of these ingredients in the right amounts each day without breaking the bank.

The answer is nutritional supplements. By researching and choosing a high quality supplement, you can experience all of the amazing cancer fighting benefits of these ingredients and more.

One tip that I will leave you with is that when looking for a supplement, check their quality control department. There are very low standards for health supplements and anything you buy in Walmart is not going to be as good for you as specialized ingredients from quality sources.

About the author

Ian N is a health and nutrition geek who has been passionate about nutritional supplements for almost ten years. From advice to choose the best multivitamin for men to practical health and diet advice, he spends a lot of his time helping others to live a healthier, happier life.

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