HowToDoThings.com Recent Vitamins & Supplements Articles

How To Find Out if Your Vitamins Have Fillers

pamb10 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:59:00 -0500

How To Learn About Acai

Staff468 — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:17:00 -0500

The Açai berry, pronounced ah-sigh-ee, comes from the Açai palm native to the Amazonian rainforests. The Açai tree is the same tree that yields the heart of palm sometimes used in salads. The Açai berry itself is small, round and blackish-purple. Because they deteriorate rapidly after being picked, Açai berries used to be available only in the Amazon region. Now Açai berries are usually juiced or made into a fruit pulp that gets dried, frozen or freeze-dried before transport and then used in a variety of beverages, including juice blends and smoothies, as well as in supplements and other food products.

Here is some information about the benefits of the products and supplements made from Açai berries:

How To Choose Glucosamine Supplements

H550 — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 20:41:00 -0600

Glucosamine builds the "cushion" in our joints and has been found to rebuild damaged joints, restore function and reduce pain in arthritic joints. While it is often expensive, when compared to the risk of pain medications geared towards bone pain, plus the expense and loss of enjoyment of life due to impaired functioning, many people are anxious to consider spending a couple dollars a day for glucosamine supplements. Many with arthritis or bone-related pain report increase in function and decreased pain when using glucosamine. For some, it restores the actual damaged joint cartilage, while for others it reduces the need for pain medications. Some report that it restores function.

How To Choose Fiber Supplements

H550 — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:07:00 -0600

Dietary fiber found in fruits and vegetables is considered the best form of fiber. Cereal fibers (bran, oats) and whole grains are the next best fibers. What makes these fibers better is that the fiber "scrubbing" action (along the inside of the colon) is better with the nutrients found in food, rather than just from the fiber only. Both types of fiber are beneficial for digestive health, weight control, building muscle, enhancing your immune system, bone health and a host of other benefits. However, most people only get about half of the recommended 20 - 35 grams per day of dietary fiber, so supplementation is sometimes necessary. Fiber supplementation is also a great way to lose weight without losing muscle mass.

How To Choose Thyroid Supplements

Kimberly579 — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:53:00 -0600

If you're researching thyroid supplements, you most likely suspect, or have received a diagnosis of, hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid produces too few hormones to maintain proper metabolism. It is more common in older women than in men and may initially cause few symptoms. Over time however, hypothyroidism can cause symptoms such as intolerance of cold, elevated cholesterol, weight gain, stiffness, constipation, depression, and dry skin and nails. While there is no cure for hypothyroidism, it can be successfully managed with thyroid supplements. Follow these five steps to start your own treatment course.

How To Choose SAM-e Supplements

Staff468 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:54:00 -0600

Creator of neurotransmitters, mother of antioxidants, strengthener of cells - it's hard to believe that one amino acid is capable of so many physiological feats. S-Adenosyl methionine - or "Sam-e," as it's affectionately called - has been shown benefit for those suffering from a variety of conditions, such as depression, osteoarthritis and liver disease. But there are some guidelines you should know before you decide to take SAM-e. Consult our other article to learn more about the benefits of taking SAM-e, as well as some of the risks. Read on for tips on choosing an effective SAM-e supplement and properly planning your supplement routine.

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How To Benefit From SAM-e

Staff468 — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:18:00 -0600

Afraid of taking the supplement that sounds like "Sammy?" When looking at the unabbreviated name of SAM-e - S-Adenosyl methionine - you might be more frightened. Methionine? It sounds unpleasant, maybe even dangerous! In truth, SAM-e (or just SAM) is naturally produced by our bodies and can be found in some foods. When taken properly as a supplement, it can be a great friend to you. It's no wonder that we stick to the friendly title that sounds more like a proper noun than a toxic gas.

As a methyl donor in our bodies, SAM-e protects against cellular damage and is present throughout the entire body. But if our bodies produce it, and we consume it in foods, why would we want to take SAM-e supplements? For starters, food is not a reliable means of increasing our levels of SAM-e. Here are some other compelling reasons.

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How To Choose Collagen Supplements

H550 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 21:12:00 -0600

Collagen is essential for the underlying structure of our muscles, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and bones. Collagen supports the skin, which is why the loss of collagen results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Collagen also supports the body's natural movements.

Many people with arthritis or bone-related pain report increased function and decreased pain when using collagen as a supplement. If you are considering orthopedic surgery or are in pain, strongly consider a collagen supplement program to see if you can improve your functionality, endurance and reduce pain levels.

Many people also use collagen topically and via supplementation for improving the appearance of hair, skin and nails. Currently many lip plumpers, skin products and other collagen supplements increase collagen upon application and tout this because collagen is thought to create a more youthful appearance.

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How To Choose Lycopene Supplements

H550 — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 20:05:00 -0600

Lycopene is a derivative from tomatoes that is responsible for giving many fruits and vegetables a ripe red color. Lycopene is an important and powerful antioxidant in that it not only provides whole-body antioxidant benefits, but also can help people with specific conditions like exercise-induced asthma, pre-eclampsia, prostate cancer, sunburn and macular degeneration. Taking lycopene can possibly help to prevent atherosclerosis, reduce your risk of cancer and improve immune function.

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How To Choose Potassium Supplements

H550 — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:43:00 -0600

Potassium is needed for maintaining a normal fluid balance, muscle action, proper transmission of nerve impulses; it assists in the conversion of glucose to glycogen, and in the synthesis of muscle protein from amino acids. It is found naturally in bananas, potatoes, orange juice and other fruits and vegetables. However, as you sweat while exercising, your generally loose potassium, so it needs to be replenished after exercise.

Potassium can also be lost or stored in your system due to the diuretic effect of certain medications; this is referred to as sparing and non-sparing drugs. Long term anti-inflammatory use, heart medications, diuretics used for high blood pressure, and certain birth control pills (such as the Yaz brand) all lower potassium levels. The estimated requirement for an otherwise healthy individual who is building muscle or exercising rigorously is 2000 mg for an adult.

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How To Use Muscle Recovery Sports Supplements

H550 — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:43:00 -0600

Over-training or overreaching is of concern to exercisers, so the use of muscle recovery supplements is a common technique to help resume your program faster. There are four key supplements and two key antioxidants to enhance your body's recovery from exercise by boosting the various systems of the muscles' recovery process after overexertion. Since these are unique supplements, look for them at GNC or a similar vitamin shop that deals expressly with the needs of athletes, as they are generally unlikely to be found in the typical vitamin aisle of drug stores. It is important to combine this program with sufficient sleep to process glucose and produce energy, as well as to avoid the side effects of sleep deprivation, including increased cortisol production, which attacks muscle tissue and halts muscle recovery.

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How To Choose Immune Boosting Supplements

H550 — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 01:42:00 -0600

Perhaps the flu is wrecking havoc on your office or dorm, or you have a weakened immune system due to asthma, chronic disease or cancer treatments. Perhaps you just want to have a hardier immune system. Several supplements can boost your immunity.

Assess why your immunity is poor. If you know why you are frequently sick, such as you have heart or lung problems and take medications that leave you more susceptible to illness, or you have a known immune deficiency, then it is easier to establish a regimen to counteract the effects of your health and medication. But if you are constantly getting sick and you do not know why, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying serious medical condition that may be impacting your immunity. However, if you are just trying to avoid getting that nasty cold that is going around your office but are otherwise in good health, you can likely proceed to supplement your immunity with select vitamins.

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How To Choose Antioxidant and Vitamin Supplements

H550 — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:44:00 -0600

Determine your needs. While antioxidants and vitamins are good for everyone, your lifestyle and several other factors will affect your specific needs. You may have read about a vitamin that helps a certain condition or improves performance; you should find out if this vitamin has any side effects or contraindications for any medical condition you have or medication you are taking. For instance, Vitamin C is a good anti-inflammatory as well as an antioxidant, but often sets off gout flare-ups. If you suffer from gout, you may want to look into the C Ester variant of Vitamin C. Remember that any vitamin can conflict with medications or health conditions and should always be listed with any other medications you take. For many people, a good multivitamin plus some select additional nutrients often meet basic dietary supplement needs.

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How To Choose Multivitamin Supplements

Samantha533 — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:39:00 -0600

There are so many different multivitamins, it is hard to know which will be the best for our health. While there are no clear answers to which exact multivitamin to take, there are some things to consider when choosing one.

Green food and food-based vitamins These are popular vitamins in natural food stores. The base of the vitamin is made up of nutritious "foods." These have more phytonutrients (a broader spectrum of nutrients) and the food base is supposed to make them easier to absorb. They usually require you to take more than one pill at a time, often a few at each meal. The amount of "food" can vary from 5 mg to 500 mg. The more the better, but the more "food," the more pills you will have to take to get the right amount of nutrients.

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How To Choose and Use Calcium Supplements

Samantha533 — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:29:00 -0600

Calcium does more than build bones. It helps regulate blood pressure, is essential for blood clotting, can lower cholesterol, and even helps keep your skin healthy. A good calcium supplement is not hard to find if you know what you are looking for.

Calcium comes in many forms. The best ones to take are calcium citrate or calcium lactate. These two types of calcium dissolve quickly and easily in the stomach, where the calcium is absorbed by the body.

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How To Find Natural Supplements to Boost Metabolism

H550 — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 21:03:00 -0600

Good nutrition, hydration and exercise are all important for a healthy metabolism. Taking a daily multivitamin/minerals supplement can help to meet the daily nutritional needs and help maintain your energy while your system adjusts to consuming less calories. But more pointedly, select supplements have demonstrated the specific ability to enhance metabolism. For instance, calcium is necessary for bone health and has demonstrated benefits for helping to maintain weight. Of interest to many dieters is what supplements provide an easy jumpstart to boost your metabolism. We discuss three steps involving select supplements to add to your daily regimen to get your metabolism in gear quickly and easily.

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How To Decide If You Should Take Testosterone

Staff468 — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 11:45:00 -0600

Although there is no consensus among health authorities about the long-term risks and benefits of taking testosterone, some menopausal women use testosterone to increase their sex drive. Here are some things to consider as you decide if you should take testosterone:

Estrogen plus testosterone therapy has been linked to increased rates of breast cancer.

Higher levels of testosterone alone in post-menopausal women has been linked to increased breast cancer risk.

Consider the effects upon your relationship as you assess the risk to benefit ratio. This is probably a nice way of saying, "How bad does your husband want it?" If your lack of sex drive is putting your marriage on the brink, then you'll have to weigh the possible health consequences against the possible other consequences.

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How To Improve Heart Health with Coenzyme Q10

Staff468 — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 15:33:00 -0500

Coenzyme Q10 is a compound found naturally in the human body; we all create it because it is vital to our cells. Coenzyme Q10 is also present in very small amounts in many foods we eat. But coenzyme Q10 levels are not consistent in everyone; some people have lower levels of coenzyme Q10, whether due to insufficient diet, the use of some prescription drugs, and diseases including those affecting the heart. When coenzyme Q10 deficiency is detected in a patient with a heart condition, it is difficult to say whether the deficiency is cause or consequence of the condition.

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How To Choose Arthritis Supplements

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 05:52:00 -0500

If you suffer from the pain of arthritis on a regular basis, consider trying some of the popular supplements available. You'll find a wide range of options on the market today and some have been found to be effective to ease the pain. If you want to try a supplement to see if it can help you, here are some things you should know:

Find out more about two of the most popular arthritis supplements, called glucosamine and chondroitin. Understand that there are conflicting results on how effective these drugs are, since some studies have shown they have made a difference, while others did not show a measurable benefit.

Learn more about methyl sulfonylmethane, or MSM, which is also an option for arthritis but is not as well known and hasn't been as well tested.

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How To Choose Iron Supplements

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:26:00 -0500

Iron deficiencies are a common problem, particularly among women who are menstruating or pregnant. If you have some of the symptoms of iron deficiency, which include fatigue, paleness and breathlessness, talk to your physician to see if adding iron supplements to your diet might help you feel better. If so, here are some tips to help you choose the right formulation:

Browse the shelves at your local drugstore to see the range of options you have. Understand that higher priced iron supplements that are marketed as 'natural' may not add anything different than the less expensive brands.

Understand that there are a many different dosage forms of iron supplements. These include Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrous Sulfate and Iron-Polysaccharide.

Decide if you prefer to take capsules, tablets or a liquid version.

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