We have all heard about how important calcium is for maintaining healthy bones, muscles and nerves. We also may be aware of the role calcium plays in inter-cellular communications. But many are unaware that the common American daily diet is not offering enough calcium. Sadly, this calcium that is lacking from our diet is then slowly leeched from the bones, creating a plethora of joint and bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis.
Many people realize that they need more calcium, and make the conscious choice to take calcium supplements, but are still unaware of the different forms of calcium being sold on the market today. Which forms of supplements are actually being absorbed by the body? Which types of calcium actually make their way into penetrating the cellular membrane?
Hopefully this will help you understand the different types of calcium currently on the supplemental market.
Continue reading: “Understanding Calcium: The Best Forms of Calcium Supplements”
Like any medicine or substance in the natural world, awareness and care must be taken when taking herbal and mineral supplements. Lithium orotate is an extremely powerful naturally-occurring chemical, and therefore one must be educated as to the possible side effects of taking it. While we should be aware of these side effects, they are not usually common, and can also be controlled through dosage.
Dosage: Common dosages of lithium range from 120mg to 450 mg. Lithium orotate requires a lower dosage. It is recommended to start with a low dose, and to slowly monitor any side effects before increasing the dosage. What is more, side effects tend to disappear with sustained use of lithium orotate, and reputable sources state that side effects tend to be minimal, and are rarely a cause to discontinue to the use of the substance.
Continue reading: “Lithium Side Effects: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself”
You may be familiar with the human body’s need for calcium. Calcium enables us to have strong bones and prevents bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis. But depleted calcium levels in your body spans far beyond the scope of weakened bones.
Studies done at the Osteoporosis Research Center at Creighton University have found that calcium plays a major role in a multitude of the body’s functions. And unfortunately, estimates from federal health statistics show that only 20% of Americans are getting the levels of calcium required for proper body function, especially those involving the heart and the circulatory system.
Research shows that calcium can also aid in the prevention of weight gain, as well as the maintenance of healthy weight levels.
When the body does not receive enough calcium, it enters emergency starvation mode, and begins to leach calcium into the bloodstream. The hormones involved in stimulating this response (parathyroid hormone and calcitriol) are also responsible for stimulating and storing our fat cells.
Adequate amounts of calcium also ensures healthy hair, nails and teeth. Without enough dietary calcium, the body will begin to extract it from the bones in the body. Good levels of calcium in the body is also very important for growing children and teenagers, and studies show that it may reduce the risks of osteoporosis in the later stages of life.
Continue reading: “The Health Benefits of Calcium Orotate”
An alkali metal related to sodium and potassium, lithium has been traditionally used within allopathic medicine to treat mental imbalances such as anxiety and depression. However, there are many side effects to taking this strong mineral, as the body poorly absorbs the standard forms of lithium Carbonate. That is, until lithium orotate was discovered.
Lithium orotate offers superior bio-utilization for the human body, allowing the mineral to penetrate the mitochondria, glia and lysosomes that exist within the intracellular structures of our cells. The mineral stabilizes these lysosomal membranes, slowing the enzymatic reaction that leads to many of the negative side effects of other forms of lithium salts.
Most people are unaware that lithium is not a drug, but is a naturally occurring mineral from the earth. Just like calcium and potassium, lithium is something that every human body requires for mental and physical health.
Many people are familiar with the pharmaceutical forms of lithium (lithium carbonate and lithium citrate), these aforementioned chemical extracts used to treat mania and depression.
Lithium orotate is very different than the other forms of the mineral. Whereas pharmaceutical drug forms of lithium require high doses to penetrate our cells, lithium orotate is only needed in extremely small doses, considering the fact that a massive amount of the mineral penetrates the cell (approximately 97%). The other great news is that unlike its pharmaceutical counterparts, lithium orotate is non-toxic, safe, has little to no side effects, and works on 70% to 80% of people who use it.
Continue reading: “The Benefits of Lithium Orotate”
There are many forms of potassium, but the potassium salt form of iodine is called potassium iodide (KI). This vital mineral is an excellent source of iodine. Iodine is needed for the healthy function of the thyroid gland.
If you are lacking in this mineral, or if you have too much potassium iodide in the the gland, major health concerns can ensue. Potassium iodide has several clear health benefits, and many are related to the functioning of the thyroid.
The following section will outline some of the major health benefits of the mineral.
Potassium Iodide provides the following health benefits:
Contributes to overall healthy thyroid function:
Potassium iodide is known as the thyroid mineral. It helps in keeping iodine levels in the thyroid in proper balance. When iodine levels are not optimal, it can lead to both hyper or hypothyroidism, two conditions whereby the thyroid gland produces too much or too little iodine. For this reason, potassium iodide acts as a powerful treatment and preventative mechanism for both forms of thyroid disorder through a mechanism of counteracting any less-than-optimal iodine levels due to dietary deficiencies. Pottasium iodide also boosts colloid accumulation in the thyroid follicles, contributing to more healthy functioning in the important gland.[1]
Continue reading: “The Benefits of Potassium Iodide”
Zinc Orotate is a mineral salt found in the human body in trace amounts. Discovered by Dr. Hans Nieper, each molecule of zinc orotate is composed of two molecules of orotic acid and one zinc atom.
This innovative German doctor found that this particular form of zinc was more readily absorbed by the human body, and thus was more indicative for the treatment and prevention of disease. Nieper also showed that zinc orotate, when compared to zinc carbonates, chlorides and sulfates, provided increased bioavailability in the body.
Many of us are aware that zinc is an essential element for not only humans, but all living things. But what few of us are aware of is the fact that many forms of zinc supplementation are not absorbed within the cellular membrane.
Research shows that zinc orotate, which is essentially a chelated form of zinc, has the ability to enhance absorption through cellular membranes.
Continue reading: “The Benefits of Zinc Orotates”
Iodine is an essential element for a vibrant and radiant body. It is a key player in the integrity of our DNA, it boosts the immune system, keeps our metabolism in balance, and even aids cardiovascular health. Many of us are suffering from “iodine deficiency,” even in our ultra-modern times.
In fact, estimates show that more than half of the US population may be deficient in iodine. Studies show lower incidences of breast cancer and fibrocystic disease in women who had higher iodine levels. If we look at the amount of iodine typically consumed by the modern American (240 micrograms (µg) of iodine a day) with amounts in Japan (12,000 µg), a country typically associated with lower rates of breast cancer, we may be witnessing a startling lack.
What is more, iodine plays an important role in the function of the thyroid gland, particularly in the creation of the hormones T3 and T4, which are important for the body’s ability to regulate its own metabolism.
More than thyroid help, iodine is also critical for many other basic physical functions, including the body’s detoxification process from the negative effects of environmental and radiation pollution. Lack of iodine can also lead to emotional disorders, malfunctioning glandular systems, and weight gain associated with hormonal imbalance. Dr. David Brownstein also believes that iodine deficiency may be linked to breast, ovarian, uterus and prostrate cancers and cysts.
Below I overview several forms of iodine supplements, citing many advantages and disadvantages to each:
Continue reading: “Iodine Supplements: The Four Best Kinds to Use”
Colic is a mysterious, frustrating and exhausting condition for both infants and parents. Months or years spent raising a colicky child are fraught with sleepless nights and nearly endless screaming. You may think it will never end, but here are some colic remedies that may help.
The exact causes of colic in infants is controversial and the condition is thought to be aggravated by a variety of things, including:
- Food allergies (especially to dairy and soy formulas)
- Underdeveloped gastrointestinal tract
- Emotional stress
- General fussiness
- Vaccinations
The best way to figure out if your childs discomfort is caused by a food allergy is to use an elimination diet.
If the baby is switching to solid food for the first time this can be rather simple, if you are breastfeeding it may take some more effort. In order to use the elimination diet you have to remove all dairy and wheat products, some vegetables (legumes) and fruits, and all sugars. Once you have removed all of these foods for 30 days you can slowly start adding foods back in to see if the symptoms come back.
Of course if you believe that the colic is being caused by an inability to digest lactose or other particular group, then the obvious solution is to reduce your infant’s intake of foods in that group (or yours, if you are breastfeeding). The elimination diet is inconvenient and can be expensive, if you end up throwing out 90% of your pantry, but it is the most effective way of eliminating discomfort that comes from a food allergy. Luckily, this is only one of many colic remdies you can try for your infant or toddler.
Continue reading: “Natural Remedies for Colic in Infants”
Zinc is an essential mineral contributing to our total physical and mental well-being. It is a key player in the optimal functioning of the reproductive organs, and an important element involved in basic cellular function. Zinc also aids to strengthen the human immune system and deter common skin conditions. It acts as a cofactor with more than 300 different enzymes, boosting the functioning of many of the body’s most basic chemical processes.
Types of Zinc
Zinc is not easily absorbed in the body unless first attached to another substance. For this reason, many zinc manufacturers have “chelated” zinc to organic and amino acids. Supplemental zinc is also available in what is called inorganic form, and is provided as a non-chelated type, usually called zinc sulfate or zinc oxide. Research studies on these forms of zinc show mixed results as whether they are beneficial to the human body.
Continue reading: “7 Common Types of Zinc Explained”
Oregano oil is widely known as a potent germ-killer, anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Not only is it highly respected within the natural health community, it is also being widely studied within the scientific community for its vast medical uses.
In research done on the oil, it has been found that it could supercede many commonly-used pain killers, such as aspirin and even morphine. Oregano oil also has extremely high levels of free-radical-fighting antioxidants, agents that protect the body from the development of chronic conditions over time.
Oregano oil may also aid in the prevention and treatment of a variety of common infectious ailments including the common flu, psoriasis, eczema, Athlete’s foot, and bacterial infections.
Continue reading: “Oregano Oil Health Benefits”
