Blog Title: My Supplements Blog

What exactly is Vitamin C? Firstly, Vitamin C is different from oil-soluble Vitamins, like vitamin A, E, and Vitamin C which can’t be stored by the human body, its considered a water soluble vitamin. Because of this, we must take in Vitamin C through food sources, such as fruits and vegetables.

Can’t Our Bodies Make More Vitamin C?

Although many animals can produce Vitamin C in their bodies, humans unfortunately do not. Along with fruits bats, gorillas, and guinea pigs, we are unable to produce Vitamin C. In fact, the only vitamin we can produce in our bodies is Vitamin D.

What’s So Important About Vitamin C?

If you’re at all familiar with history, you may have heard the term scurvy used before. This particular condition is a direct result of Vitamin C deficiency. When the body lacks Vitamin C, its blood vessels are unable to repair themselves due to inadequate amounts of collagen.

The properties of Vitamin C

Let’s take a look at two important terms.

·Free radicals are unstable molecules that may be caused by things such as sun exposure, chemical exposure, ozone, cigarette smoke, air pollution, nitrous oxide, and alcohol consumption.

·Oxidative stress takes place when these free radicals move freely in the body.

Free radicals aren’t exactly friendly. They damage both DNA and cell membranes. This damage can result in the development of dangerous diseases in old age. Oxidative stress refers to this particular damage.

Luckily, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is directly responsible for the neutralization of free radicals inside the body, thus preventing oxidative stress.

Heart Disease and Vitamin C

One of Vitamin C’s most important roles is collagen production. Collagen is both a protein and the connective tissue that holds us together. It may be found in bones, skin, ligaments, liver, tendons, bone marrow, cartilage, and blood vessels. Collagen is necessary for repair and making actresses lips pouty and full. Without it, healing can’t happen. And without Vitamin C, we have no collagen.

Remember the effect of scurvy? When those blood vessels are cracking like that, the liver sends out a back-up protection mechanism called lipoprotein-a. Lipoprotein-a is a form of LDL, or bad cholesterol. Although it does manage to stop the blood vessel leakage, it is extremely sticky. That being said, it also manages to catch every other type of bad cholesterol that comes through the area. This results in the build-up of plaque inside the walls of the blood vessels which can eventually shut them down. This is the beginning of heart disease.

Additional Vitamin C Information

In addition to the prevention of scurvy and heart disease, Vitamin C is able to drop blood pressure and stroke chances. This is possible because Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant. It neutralizes the damage caused by free radicals and helps to keep cells healthy and damage-free.

Vitamin C has also been shown to helpprotect the immune system. It promotes the manufacture of white blood cells that are responsible for bacteria and virus protection.

Vitamin C and Safety

According to an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vitamin C supplementation is safe for most adults, as long as it does not exceed 2000 mg per day. High doses of Vitamin C may not be safe and can sometimes result in diarrhoea.

Taurine, an important amino acid, you most probably know it best from good old Redbull,  it is a functional food found in a variety of energy products. Although it is present in a number of energy foods, its use as an energy-giver has not yet been proven. A recent study of mice unable to transport this amino acid suggests one important theory – taurine is necessary for both the maintenance and function of the skeletal muscle system. In addition, taurine has proved its ability to destroy fatty liver deposits in humans. This helps to prevent both liver disease and cirrhosis.

Taurine is a very necessary amino acid. Taurine is found most often in the central nervous system, heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. Two sulphurous amino acids known as methionine make up taurine.

Fighting Cardiovascular Disease

Taurine functions to keep both magnesium and potassium inside our cells, while keeping sodium out. This is very similar to the function of diuretics. However, taurine is not a cellular poison as are prescription diuretics. This amino acid actually improves kidney function, rather than harming it. Taurine is also very effective in the fight against fluid accumulation and tissue swelling. Fluid accumulation often occurs within people who have hearth failure, late stage ovarian cancer, congestive heart failure, and liver disease.

Taurine has also proven effective in treating hypertension, or high blood pressure. Blood pressure normalizes as fluid amounts normalize. Taurine relieves arterial spasm by dampening the sympathetic nervous system. This blood vessel relaxation causes a significant drop in blood pressure.

In regards to the other cardiovascular diseases, the amino acid taurine has been shown in several studies to positively affect people with heart failure. Taurine maintains a solid calcium balance and strengthens the heart muscles at the same time. When used with carnitine and Coq10, taurine proves even more powerful in this regard. It not only controls the contractility of the heart, but also guards against the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Taurine also effectively teams up with magnesium to help to stabilize heart rhythm.

·Taurine functions as a major inhibitory amino acid.

·Taurine is necessary for both nerve impulse generation and transmission.

·Taurine deficiency is a dangerous problem that lowers our ability to detoxify certain chemicals.

·When emotions such as stress and anxiety are felt, the need for the amino acid taurine rises. Without proper taurine amounts, depression is a possibility. Those with retinal degeneration often have a lower taurine count.

·Men generally require a lower amount of taurine than women.

·Taurine is a crucial amino acid in children. It helps to ensure growth and development.

·Taurine is a extremely important to heart function, affecting both the rhythm and contractility.

have a good weekend, we’ll be at the NABBA Nationals this weekend, pop in and say hi.

Jase.

Without a healthy immune system, your quality of life quickly takes a dive. The immune system is easily one of the most important parts of the human body, responsible for protection from bacteria and viruses. However, to keep it functioning at its best, certain immune system supplements may be necessary.

Free Radicals

There are two types of free radicals. The good ones help to eliminate bacteria and viruses. To support these good free radicals though, it is crucial that we keep the protective qualities of our immune system high by keeping a large number of antioxidants present in the body, often through various immune system supplements.

Why Would My Immune System Be Weakened?

Immune system weakness is often due to poor nutrition and elevated stress levels. Anger, especially when held within for a long period of time, has also been shown to cause immune system weakness. Be sure to consider all three of these possible causes, with a specific focus on nutrition and stress.

What About Immune System Supplements?

Supplements provide a wide array of positive benefits to our bodies. They are often packed with key antioxidants that are beneficial in strengthening the immune system. Vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and zinc are all important nutrients.

While each of the above nutrients are helpful as individuals, when bonded together their ability to strengthen and support the immune system becomes even more impressive.

Consider the following example. Alone, zinc may prove harmful to the immune system. In high doses taken by itself, zinc has been shown to suppress our immune system. However, when combined with the other supplements above, it has proven to be an asset to the body’s protective ability.

Everyone Benefits

Whether young or old, immune system supplements are effective and efficient. Strengthening the immune system at a young age has a direct impact on the prevention of degenerative diseases in the future. It should be noted that immune system supplements may take upwards of six months to fully kick in.

Don’t sit back and assume your immune system is at its best. If you’re right, good for you I guess. If you’re wrong though, you may face a number of life-threatening issues as you get older.

Antioxidants are natural substances that are derived from vegetables and fruits. Both cranberries and blueberries are well-known for their antioxidant properties. As far as vegetables are concerned, red beans and russet potatoes are also on the list. It must be understood that these are only a few of the many sources of essential nutrients. Flaxseed oil is one of these sources that is often overlooked.

Have you tried Flaxseed Oil?

Flaxseed oil also carries the name Linseed oil. This oil is pulled from flax plants seeds. Linseed oil is typically extracted and then used as wood finish. However, when flaxseed is cold pressed with no extraction, is takes on the term flaxseed oil, a popular nutritional supplement.

Flaxseed oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These provide resistance to heart disease, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. Omegas 3’s are often linked to fish oil, but flaxseed oil also provides a quality source.

In addition, flaxseed oil contains one of the highest amounts of lignin as far as antioxidants are concerned. Lignan is an antioxidant compound which is found in plants. It contains ant-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial properties.

Additional Information

The lignans found in flaxseed oil have been shown to boost the immune system by preventing the entrance of damaging germs into the cells. Flaxseed oil lignans are also linked to the manufacture of a compound tied to estrogen. The lignans push this substance out of the body and is helpful in reducing PMS symptoms.

For all of the nutritional benefits flaxseed oil provides – anti-inflammation, blood pressure decrease, cholesterol decrease, and calcium absorption – it would be an injustice to pass by this inexpensive omega 3-loaded supplement.

What a score, let me tell you for those that don’t know who Will Brink is. He has been an author, columnist and industry consultant for over 15 years and has been extensively published in places I’m sure you have read, you most probably have already read some of his articles in various magazine and didn’t know it.

He has wrote articles on the subjects of fitness, supplements, bodybuilding , fat loss , HIV, cancer, whey protein, heart disease, and longevity and has been published in Muscle Media, Life Extension , MuscleMag International, Let’s Live, Muscle & Fitness, Life , Townsend Letter for Doctors, IronMan, Inside Karate, Exercise for Men Only, Physical, Power, Body International, Oxygen, Penthouse, Fitness RX, and numerous others, phew..

He is also the author of a number of books and e-books which both Kimmi and I love,  including, Priming The Anabolic Environment”, Bodybuilding Revealed & Fat Loss Revealed. In addition , he has been the co-author of several studies relating to sports nutrition and health found in peer reviewed academic journals such as the International Society of Sports Nutrition and others. Will holds an ALB Degree from Harvard University and graduated with concentration in the Natural Sciences.

Will is a fitness pioneer who was responsible for bringing the benefits of whey protein and healthy fats to the fitness community. He was the first to write about the benefits of adding healthy fats to your diet when this principle was still laughed at in many circles. Nobody has written more about whey proteins than Will, his research on the subject has been used in countless studies worldwide. His articles on creatine literally changed the face of the creatine industry ensuring safe creatine for millions of people.

He’s a popular speaker who’s been a semi-regular guest on national radio shows and has completed numerous television appearances over the years. In addition, Will has been asked to speak at various industry and scientific conventions all over the world, he has been interviewed by TV stations , including Fox News and other networks and has traveled worldwide including Canada, Europe and Japan, giving lectures and advising clients and companies. Kimmi and I are still working on him to take a trip downunder for a visit, supposedly the Flight is a little on the long side for him…

Will has also worked in R&D for major supplement, dairy and pharmaceutical companies, creating or improving particular products , improving label accuracy and advising companies on the latest trends.

Will has also been asked to give advice to tactical law enforcement (SWAT) teams via his seminars, and has advised special operations personnel on how to optimize their performance under extreme stress.

Will is a former high level trainer with a “rep” for getting bodybuilders, figure competitors and Olympic athletes into shape, as well as pro golfers and others who rely on peak performance for the careers. . He has also served as a judge in many fitness and bodybuilding shows for the National Physique Committee (NPC).

And we are glad to be associated with such a all round awesome guy.

If there is anything you need to know about building muscle or losing fat check out Will’s sites below

Bodybuilding Revealed & Fat Loss Revealed

Cod liver oil is a fish oil that provides a host of benefits to the body. Although this particular fish oil is normally used to aid the elderly population, research is beginning to show that it may benefit people of all ages.

Cod liver oil is typically considered a vitamin and antioxidant that is useful in the relieving arthritic conditions. This fish oil contains:

·Vitamin D – This vitamin is required for calcium and potassium absorption and used for bone growth.

·Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Both EPA and DHA are important fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease. In addition, fatty acids provide a range of benefits including healthy skin, infection resistance, bone strength, arthritic relief, reduced cardiovascular disease risk, and many others.

·Vitamin A – This is necessary for a strong immune system, night vision, bone growth, and cell regeneration

Cod liver oil, similar to other fish oils and vitamins, may be found at pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores. These products are typically somewhat expensive, but can we really put a price on our health?

Be sure to follow the dosage instructions of your purchased cod liver oil or fish oil supplement carefully. One to two teaspoons are usually recommended for daily intake. Unfortunately, cod liver oil has a rather nasty smell and taste. If necessary, you may purchase this supplement in capsule form.

If pregnant or breast feeding, be sure to consult your doctor before supplementing with cod liver oil. It is also important to note that you may attain similar benefits of fish oil supplementation by increasing your intake of fish such as herring and mackerel. Both sardines and anchovies also fall into this category.