Thursday, February 28, 2008

Natural Vitamin Supplements & Organic Spirulina

Article brought to you by Organic Spirulina



Fresh fruit and vegetables grown organically have proven to be the best sources of natural vitamins. Vitamins in this form are assimilated synergistically in conjunction with other nutrients. Natural vitamin supplements are made from food sources, and they contain a natural blend of vitamins and nutrients from real sources such as Brewer’s yeast, maize, liver, alfalfa, sprouted foods, spirulina, chlorella, and more.



Isolated synthetic vitamin nutrients face a considerable amount of rejection by the body at the cellular level, and the absorption is not complete. Besides, the chemical additives, such as binders, fillers, and preservatives, further hamper the digestion process. Natural vitamin E (D-alfa tocopherol), which is far superior to synthetic vitamin E (alfa tocopherol), is opposite in molecular structure to its synthetic form. Hence, it has been observed that natural vitamin supplements supersede their synthetic look-alikes in terms of absorption, assimilation, and retention.



The ancient traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, has one of the most potent nutritional supplements called “chyawanprash,” with over fifty ingredients, formulated by sage Chyawan to regain his lost youth. Its main ingredient is Indian gooseberry (embilica officianalis), the richest source of natural vitamin C (twenty times that of an orange). Additionally, it has a protective enzyme over it that prevents oxidation of vitamin C even at very high temperatures. Another wonderful supplement is spirulina, which is rich in vitamin E—a key antioxidant—as well as in the vitamin B series — B1, B3, B6, and B12. Spirulina, which is available in powder form, is also the richest whole food source of beta carotene.



Over 80% of the cheaply available synthetic vitamins get excreted out of the system. Natural vitamin supplements may sound like a costly proposition, but in the long run will prove otherwise. Natural vitamin supplements are available at health food stores, or they can be ordered online. They can also be purchased from network marketing agents. It is advisable to choose a product manufactured by a GMP-certified company. “Neutraceutical,” is a word coined by the nutrition supplement industry for high-quality supplements.




Vitamin Supplements provides detailed information on Vitamin Supplements, Natural Vitamin Supplements, Liquid Vitamin Supplements, Best Vitamin Supplements and more. Vitamin Supplements is affiliated with Multi Vitamins.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey
http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Vitamin-Supplements&id=222706

Discount Shopping Comparison

Discount shopping online has become a regular pastime of Americans. Not only is home shopping convenient for most people it also provides much more variety in a smaller amount of time than driving around town might produce.



However, internet shopping has its pros and cons just as anything other advance of technology does. Online shoppers should be careful and aware that just because they feel anonymous while shopping, they may not always be.



Pros of Discount Shopping Online and Other functions of Internet Shopping:



1. Most people can generally find what they are looking for online just as easy if not easier than finding it at the local department store.



2. Variety is more diverse since the market is global and not local.



3. Prices are sometimes negotiable online since the products might be sold by individuals or auctions.



4. Items are more generally lower priced due to the high percentage of auctions and discount sites.



Cons of Discount Shopping Online and Other functions of Internet Shopping:



1. Shipping costs occur 90% of the time, sometimes bringing the discounted price back up to the normal price of the same item found locally at a department store.



2. Descriptions on bid sites and online auctions may not be accurate. Sometimes sellers will talk up their item in order to sell it.



3. Refunds are not as accessible and may not always be possible when conducting online shopping.



4. Payment devices may not be secure, allowing access to more people than simply the seller, or abused access by the seller.



Internet shopping can be very useful and very convenient, however the individual thinking about using a discount shopping online should carefully weigh the pros and cons before ruling out the local market. Common sense can save you a lot of money online, and when in doubt just log off and go the old fashion route of shopping locally.




Ken Austin
Online Discount Shopping Guide

Roses and Rose Gardening



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Austin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Pros-and-Cons-of-Internet-Shopping&id=13293

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Is it Possible to Consume Too Much Spirulina?

It's green. It's "clean," and it's touted as the "world's healthiest superfood." Spirulina offers 60% all-vegetarian protein by weight, but can you take too much?



In a word, yes!



People usually begin taking spirulina in order to support their health. A blue-green algae rich in beta carotene, iron, vitamin B-12 and the rare essential fatty acid, GLA, powdered spirulina is a bit of an acquired taste. Even so, converts often swear by its powers to clear the skin, relax the mind, and provide extra energy. Whether added to smoothies and fresh juices or taken in pill form, spirulina initially seems like a winner.



Anecdotal stories suggest healings from malnutrition, cancer, acne, allergies and protein deficiency, to name a few. From an environmental standpoint, spirulina offers ways to stave off deforestation, because it grows in brackish water on non-fertile land. Some manufacturers and proponents consider spirulina a critical supplement for ending world hunger! Indeed, this little blue-green algae does some pretty incredible things.



Unfortunately, very few resources warn of the dangers of ingesting too much spirulina. Though far from a "mainstream problem," overdosing on spirulina is actually quite common in health nut circles, particularly among the raw foodist crowd, who may use it in salad dressings, smoothies, and fresh juices--all in the same day!



Spirulina contains 3900% more beta carotene than carrots. At first, this sounds like a benefit: more is better, right? Well, not always. The body can convert beta carotene to vitamin A, and in large doses, vitamin A becomes toxic to the liver. High dosage spirulina users often complain of severe body itching, which seems to come from under the skin. No amount of oils, lotions or water seems to alleviate the itch. If you or someone you know has this problem, it could be a sign of severe liver toxicity. Many people experience relief in a few days by stopping spirulina and any other high beta-carotene foods or supplements like goji berries, beets, carrots, E3Live or Crystal Manna and some sea weeds. Once the itching subsides, they can gradually add in lower doses of beta carotene containing foods, but they'll need to use caution for awhile as their liver recovers.



For people who began taking spirulina for health, the prospect of liver toxicity poses an ironic effect. Spirulina and other superfoods still offer potent benefits, but we need to remember that "super"foods really CAN provide "too much of a good thing." Recommended doses range from 3-5 grams all the way up to 40 grams per day, which makes it difficult to gage an overdose situation. If you experience unusual symptoms and have been taking a lot of powerful plant foods like spirulina, consider backing those superfoods down a bit. When it comes to supplements and/or superfoods, more does not always mean better.




Laura Bruno is a Life Coach, Medical Intuitive and Reiki Master Teacher from Sedona, Arizona. In addition to private coaching and intuitive sessions, she teaches Conscious Eating 101 classes, Intuition workshops and Reiki Certification classes around the country and in beautiful Sedona. For more information on classes, raw food coaching, transitional coaching, animal communication, and letting your gifts shine through your career, please see: http://www.internationalrenaissancecoaching.com



Laura also wrote the much-awaited book If I Only Had a Brain Injury: A TBI Survivor and Life Coach's Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Concussion, Lyme Disease, Migraine or Other "Medical Mystery," now available for immediate download in ebook and available in paperback in Spring 2008: http://www.ifionlyhadabraininjury.com



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Bruno
http://EzineArticles.com/?Too-Much-Spirulina?&id=973243