Showing posts with label zinc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zinc. Show all posts

Friday, 15 March 2013

Beating Diabetes, One step at a time.


Diabetes is rife in England, one in ten people are affected by it and yet, barring insulin, there is no real variety of ways to combat it. So here are 7 different vitamins and suppliments you can use to help your fight against Diabetes.

Chromium
Chromium is a trace mineral located in the human body that regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism. However it also helps in the acceptance and processing of insulin introduced to the system from outside sources (like injections). It has been observed by scientists that people with low levels of Chromium have a higher chance of developing Type-2 Diabetes.  Several studies have shown that Chromium treatments can help in the control of Diabetes, however whereas these studies have been highly informative they have not be wholly conclusive meaning that further study must be undertaken to understand the complete benefits Chromium may have when treating Diabetes.  In studies, Chromium supplements have been shown o increase the amount of insulin processed by significant amounts. It is clear that the addition of Chromium to one Diabetic routine can help the development of a far healthier system.

Ginseng
There are dozens of forms of Ginseng; however the most effective form is North American, or Panax quinquefilious. This form of Ginseng has demonstrated powerful blood sugar control properties, in addition to producing Glycosylated hemogobin (a form of hemoglobin in the blood used to monitor blood glucose levels over time).
A great way to get a regular amount of Ginseng in your system is to brew Ginseng tea, to do so, follow these instructions.


  1. Slice a whole Ginseng root into coarse pieces.
  2. Measure out 1 tsp of Root and add to a cup of cold water.
  3. Cover and bring the water to boil.
  4. Once the water begins to boil, lower the temperature to the lowest setting you have available and leave it for 15 minutes.
  5. Let the mixture steep for 6 hours.
  6. Drink at will.


Cinammon
Cinnamon is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best spices out there for controlling diabetes. There are properties in cinnamon that increase the amounts of blood sugar your muscles absorb, keeping the levels of excess blood glucose to lower levels. Studies using Cinnamon pills have demonstrated that by taking three supplements of Cinnamon a day you can cause the levels of blood glucose to drop at a steady rate. It is simple enough to add cinnamon into a diet and heavily recommended
Many diabetes experts claim the usefulness of the Cinnamon, in the video below shows Shane Owen describing one of the ways that Cinnamon can be used to curb Diabetes.  In addition to helping with Diabetes, Cinnamon also has powerful cholesterol lowering effects, it was demonstrated in a test which involved three groups of people taking varying doses of Cinnamon, forty days after the test every group demonstrated significantly lowered cholesterol levels.


Zinc

It has been shown that many people suffering form Diabetes have suboptimal Zinc levels in their body. This is due to their bodies producing low levels of Zinc and excreting it a highly accelerated rate. It is advised that anyone suffering from Diabetes in any form try to supplement the amount of zinc they intake. Several foods are naturally rich in zinc; find a list of some of these foods: Fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, rye, beef liver, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, chicken and buckwheat.

Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for over 300 different bodily functions, including the regulation of blood sugar, muscle and nerve functions. It has been proven that a daily supplement of Magnesium can help drop blood glucose levels by aiding the body process blood sugar far more efficiently.
With this mineral however, I am attaching a warning; High levels of Magnesium can prove to be dangerous to the human body, causing heavy, difficult breathing as well as heart problems and low blood pressure. So whilst Magnesium is great for combating the effects of Diabetes it can be counted as somewhat of a double edged sword, so please be careful and consult a professional.

Aloe Vera Gel
Whilst Aloe Vera Gel is better known as a soothing agent for burns and the like, Japanese Scientists have recently discovered additional uses for the substance. Within Aloe Vera there are a number of active phytosterol compounds that reduce blood glucose levels. It also reduces glycosylated hemoglobin, which is a fairly uncommon property to be found in plant matter.


Vanadium
Vanadium is naturally found in soil and most foods, Petroleum burning also produces Vanadium. This substance has demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the levels of blood sugar. In many ways it mimics the effects of insulin, which makes it invaluable in the fight against diabetes. 
However there are inherent dangers to Vanadium as the dose needed to effectively lower the levels of blood glucose can prove to be toxic to the human body. If you wish to integrate additional supplements of Vanadium into your lifestyle, I would advise you to contact a trained professional.

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Hair Raising Foods


This is a subject close to many men’s hearts (and heads).  There can be any number of reasons for losing your hair, from environmental factors to genetics but good nutrition can play a vital part in hair growth.

Vitamins and lifestyle changes have been shown to encourage hair to grow and reduce hair loss.  Hair products, such as masks, shampoos and leave on conditioners can also prevent hair loss and restore healthy, vibrant hair.  This is a small number of essential elements and foods that can help you improve and even restore your hair.


Iron is an essential mineral, found in liver, beef, pork, fish, leafy greens, fortified cereal, beans, and pumpkin seeds.


Protein is absolutely essential for strong hair, but it's the protein from your food, not from shampoo!  A deficiency in protein can lead to hair loss whereas sufficient dietry protein can help to provide the amino acids that strengthen hair. Some good sources of protein include: seafood, white-meat poultry, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, pork tenderloin, soy, lean beef, and protein bars. For vegetarians, vegans and dairy-free consumers, good non-animal protein can be found in tempeh, tofu, wholewheat bread, peanut butter, brown rice, lentils, quinoa, nuts, seitan, beans, broccoli, potatoes.
 
Vitamin C is another essential in your diet, vitamin C foods help in the good absorption of iron. Good sources include: citrus fruit, green leafy vegetables, salad, baked potatoes, tomatoes.

Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep hair healthy and aid in preventing it from becoming dry and brittle. Good sources include: tuna, salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Biotin is a B vitamin which is important in the structure of healthy hair too. Good sources of biotin include: brewer's yeast, bulgur wheat, lentils, sunflower seeds, soybeans, and walnuts.

Zinc is another important mineral in the makeup of the hair follicle and provides essential hair nourishment too. Good sources include: oysters, lean beef, peanut butter, turkey, and pumpkin seeds.

Did You Know?
And finally, onion juice could be a natural hair restorer of immense potency!  A study published in the Journal of Dermatology examined the results when onion juice was used in people with alopecia areata. Twenty-three people applied onion juice directly to the scalp twice daily for two months. Participants began to experience hair growth after just two weeks of treatment. At four weeks, hair regrowth was seen in 17 people and at six weeks, hair growth was apparent in 20 people.