Nutrition Archives - HealthPlace.com

Brain Nutrients

Tomas Hubot — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 08:41:21 +0000

DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is one of the nutrients required by the brain during the crucial early stages of development in the womb. This omega-3 fatty acid is the primary building block and most abundant fatty acid in the brain, influencing cellular communication and the action of neurotransmitters. An adequate on-going supply of DHA is required by the brain throughout life, with a recent study showing that DHA and EPA may play a role in alleviating oxidative stress and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
Whereas DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, acetylcholine, which is derived from phosphatidylcholine, is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain. Acetylcholine is involved in many important central nervous system functions, including motor control and short-term memory, and has been shown to help maintain mental function. Research has highlighted that high choline intake during pregnancy may improve the baby’s cognitive function when going into adulthood and prevent memory decline associated with old age. Choline’s ability to do this is probably via its function as a methyl donor which supports brain development and gene expression.
Along with phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine is another important phospholipid that helps improve memory and ability to handle stress. The brain usually produces sufficient levels of phophatidylserine but a deficiency of methyl donors, such as folic acid and vitamin B12, may inhibit production of sufficient phosphatidylserine. Low levels of phosphatidylserine are associated with impaired mental function and depression in the elderly.
Research has shown that Ginkgo biloba may help acetycholine uptake into the hippocampus part of the brain (involved in memory formation and storage) and may protect the structural integrity of the hippocampus. Gingko biloba has also been shown to increase cerebral blood flow, and hence oxygen and glucose availability, in the brain. As well as improving vascular function in the brain, studies have shown that Ginkgo biloba also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which may make it more effective in protecting the brain’s neurons.
Other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, are also involved in mental functioning. Folic acid and vitamin B12, both methyl donors, play an important role in the manufacture of these neurotransmitters. Research has shown that deficiencies in these vitamins are associated with increasing levels of confusion, particularly in the elderly. Studies have shown that some people with B12 deficiency and mild cognitive impairment, show some degree of improvement with B12 supplementation and an association between low folic acid levels and depression has also been found.

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5 Medicinal Juices

Tomas Hubot — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:49:56 +0000

What we mean here is that these are juices designed to function a specific way to benefit the body. High antioxidant juices, energy juices, etc. are all designed specifically to affect the body a certain.

One of juices greatest effects is detoxifying. In fact, all liquids, whether it’s just pure water or one of these amazing juices, it will help to pull toxins out of your body.

Each of the juices listed below can help you accomplish a specific goal… and taste great while you do it.

Oxidizer Master

5 ounces blueberries

5 ounces strawberries

1 mango

1/2 sweet potato, cooked

This is a powerful anti-oxidant combination that can help to repair and prevent damage from toxins and ‘free radicals’ that get into your body.

Know How – Free Radicals and Anti-oxidants – Free radicals is the name given to oxygen atoms that are running around in your body. Just like when they make water by bonding to hydrogen and another oxygen to make water, these oxygen atoms are running around looking for something to bond. When the bond with the wrong atoms, they end up being something that is damaging. Anti-oxidants bond with those oxygen atoms before they can become ugly things. That’s why a steady supply of anti-oxidants can help to prevent future illness and maybe even heal illnesses now.

Alternative Energy

1 can lychees in light syrup

2 peaches

2 plums

8 ounces of coconut water or almond milk

Forget solar cells! This a sweet and creamy treat that will provide you with a ton of natural energy. There is so much healthy goodness, that it will keep your motor running for a long time.

Fibrous Fibrocity

2 ounces ginger

1 beet

2 plums

3 carrots

1 apple

Forget those fiber powders made from something that you would never eat. This is a sweet, delicious alternative that will provide with more than enough fiber to keep things moving. And it’s much better than some pasty powder.

Superstar Spotlight – Fiber – Fiber has been gaining increasing recognition for being the key to a healthy body. Fiber helps to cleanse toxins from the intestines. Also, as it passes through the digestive tract, it can draw off some of the toxins in the blood stream simply by being more attractive to the bad stuff.

C U Healthy

1/2 grapefruit

2 oranges

3 kiwis

There is enough vitamin C in here to keep you healthy for a

very long time. A single kiwi has twice your daily allowance. Everyone in the office sneezing, kids come home with runny noses, get that little tickle in your throat, drink this and stop that cold in its tracks.

The Complete Package

1 apple

1 pear

4 ounces cherries

1 kiwi, cut the stem ends but leave the skin on

This has everything you need. A,B,C,E and lots of fiber (that’s what the kiwi skin is for). There is a lot of everything in here. It’s nearly perfect as a drink will ever get. In fact, this and a couple of pieces of tofu for protein and you’re all set.

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Nutrition Hidden Poison

Tomas Hubot — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:06:59 +0000

Did you know that there might be poison in many of your favorite foods found on grocery store shelves everywhere? Breads, crackers, cookies, energy bars, tortillas, frozen pizza are just a few examples of these dangerous foods. The poison in these items is called partially hydrogenated fat, often referred to as trans-fatty acids.

A trans-fatty acid is usually made from a vegetable oil- corn, cottonseed, or soybean, for example- that has been treated by a process called hydrogenation to make it a solid at room temperature. Originally, when margerin first appeared in supermarkets, consumers were led to believe they could lower their risk of heart disease and cancer by replacing butter with this product. What became evident later is that the chemical process that made vegetable oil “look” like a saturated fat by solidifying caused it to act like one as well, making high levels of either fat a health risk.

Some of the harmful effects of trans-fatty acids include:

§ Cause you to store fat and burn sugar

§ Increase levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol

§ Decrease levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good” cholesterol

§ Increase your perception of pain

Thankfully, trans fats are starting to appear on nutrition information on some food products. This trend will continue to rise as the law goes into affect next year forcing brands to disclose the amount of trans fat per serving.

Still, I’m betting you will see foods advertised as “low in trans fat.” Don’t fall for it.

Small amounts of trans fats are more harmful than larger amounts of saturated fats. A small increase in saturated fats results in a 17 percent increase in coronary artery disease. A similar increase in trans fats leads to a 93 percent increase!

As a general rule, avoid all foods containing trans-fatty oils. Most of these include foods that have to sit on a shelf, such as baked goods, snack chips, some national brands of peanut butter, candy bars, cookies, etc. Even some supposedly healthy diet products that are marketed as a food to help you lose weight contain this poison!

Don’t make the mistake of eating these product just because they’re there, or because “everyone else is.” Take your health into your hands and make sure you read those labels!

Author Information
Kevin is a personal trainer and triathlon coach in San Diego. He has owned a personal training company, and consulted in the fitness field for over 9 years. Author of the E-Book, The Healthy Burn, a comprehensive fat-burning plan for couch potatoes, competitive athletes, and anyone in between.

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