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For thousands of years, ginseng has been revered in the Orient as an almost magical natural supplement with amazing benefits for those who use it regularly. It is said that ginseng will boost the immune system, enhance vitality, increase physical endurance, increase mental alertness, and treat illnesses like colds, fevers, headaches, and vomiting. It is even believed to be an aphrodisiac.

Let’s face it, if ginseng actually had the properties to give all the benefits it is believed to give, people would be taking it with every meal. The fact is however, the benefits of ginseng fall a far sight short of its claims.

Commercially, ginseng is taken as tea, in capsules, in liquid form from viles, or even by eating the root itself. Usually it is taken in doses of around 5 grams at a time. Ginseng is most commonly grown in Asia, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan, although it can also be found in wooded areas from Quebec to Missouri.

Ginsenosides, which is the active substance in the root, has been shown to increase endurance and decrease fatigue in mice when given to them in large amounts. One study where large amounts were given to humans noted a small improvement in the endurance levels of those who took it. Also, “Chinese herbal medicine”, published by the US National Institute of Health, claims the use of ginseng can raise unusually low blood pressure and can help prevent shock after heart attacks.

However, there is no good scientific evidence to support any of the claims made of these alleged benefits of consuming this root. It is also very likely that when you buy ginseng at the store, it will have a low concentration of ginsenosides in it. This means that even if ginseng does have some marginal benefit to offer, you will probably not receive any of them.

The lancet, a British medical journal, published a study done in Sweden which showed that most commercially sold ginseng products contained only trace amounts of ginsenosides. These findings concluded that the amount of ginsenosides found in these products was too insignificant to be of any benefit. Some of the products, including two sold in the US (”Siberian Ginseng” and “Up Your Gas”), had almost none of this substance at all.

For the most part, taking small to moderate amounts of ginseng will not be harmful to you, but you have to ask yourself if dollar for dollar it is worth taking something which is of no real value or benefit to you. We all can fall victim to hype made about a product, especially one that has been around for thousands of years, but when there is no good, proven science to support that products claims, save your money for a more useful purpose.

Jim O’Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php

Are all vitamin supplements created equal? Much of the public is not aware that this is not the case. Many people have had an experience with knock-offs before; products that are like the real thing but are cheaply made. This same thing is happening in the vitamin market. Some of the vitamins that are sold in the stores have little to no nutritional value. In essence, there are three kinds of vitamins. Depending on which kind you choose will determine whether or not you are benefitting from all that pill-swallowing.

To run at maximum efficiency, our bodies need a certain amount of nutrients every day. Just like a car runs off gas, we live off of the food that we eat, it is our source of energy. However, when you give your body foods that are poor in nutritional value, it is just like putting regular unleaded in a jet engine, it just doesn’t have the octane available to run properly.

To keep our “engine” running, we must supply it with all the nutrients it needs. Since the food that we eat rarely lives up to this standard, it is a good idea to take a multi-vitamin to fill in the gaps. But how do you know if your multi-vitamin is actually delivering what it claims?

There are three kinds of vitamins sold to consumers: synthetic, natural, and live.

Synthetic vitamins are basically man’s attempt to do in the laboratory what God has done in the real world. We have not mastered the replicating process (far from it) and these vitamins are not very useful. They are relatively cheap to make though, which is why you will see them in your local super-market with the low price tags.

Natural vitamins are real, 100% natural vitamins. The only problem is that they are dead. The nutrients are destroyed in the production process of “natural” vitamins. This leads to cheaper creation, and almost no nutritional value is left when they are done.

Here’s an example: If you squeezed some orange juice into a pan, then boiled the water off and packaged it into a pill, you would have 100% natural vitamin C. But when you boiled it, you also killed the nutrients (in fact they started to die at 130 degrees Fahrenheit).

Live vitamins are what you should keep your eyes open for. These are completely natural and they are packaged without heating and killing the nutrients. Live vitamins are the next best thing to eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, they are more expensive to produce, so they will cost more than their counterparts. It is important to remember that while it may be tempting to go with a cheaper supplement, you are just throwing your money away if you don’t get live vitamins.

The problem is this: live vitamins are rarely sold in big super-markets or drug stores. This is because synthetic and natural vitamins are being sold at half the price. And since the general public is not aware of the difference, the low prices of the ‘knock-offs’ will out sell the real, live vitamins which will result in them being taken off the shelves.

To find the quality vitamins that your body needs, it takes some searching. But they are out there! The vitamins I personally take are from Health First Technologies. They do a great job of preserving the nutrients in their supplements. To find out more follow the link below.

Tyson J. Faulkner has been studying health and nutrition for 5 years. For more information about vitamins and supplements, go to http://Health-FoodVitamin.com

Everyone can enjoy an occasional meal in a restaurant and order whatever they want. But if you have to eat in restaurants several times a week, you need to devise ways to make healthy choices and avoid the temptation to over-eat. If you are trying to control weight, diabetes, cholesterol or high blood pressure, you need to must find ways to meet your special requirements.

First, choose restaurants that gives you a fighting chance. Find a restaurant with a good salad bar and load up on fresh vegetables. Order broiled fish for your entree. Ask to have it prepared with lemon juice instead of butter. Have steamed vegetables as an accompaniment, without added butter, and fresh fruit or fruit ice for dessert.

Asian restaurants often have a wide array of tasty dishes with lots of vegetables. Thai and Vietnamese restaurants and Mongolian grills are good choices if you stick to the vegetarian and seafood entrees. Go easy on the white rice.

Your chances of finding whole grains in a restaurant are slim to none, but if you travel a lot, you might want to pack or shop for your own cereal to eat in your hotel. Large cities and college towns often have vegetarian restaurants that offer varied, flavorful meals made with vegetables, beans and sometimes even whole grains. Whatever you order, watch out for the huge portions that many restaurants serve. Divide it up at the beginning of the meal and save some for the next day’s lunch, share with a friend, or just leave it.

The restaurants listed below are a few of the national chains that offer good to excellent salad bars and some other healthier choices for people on the go.

Black Eyed Pea
Bob’s Big Boy
Chili’s
Denny’s
Golden Corral
Long John Silvers
Lone Star
Olive Garden
Ponderosa
Ruby Tuesday
TGI Friday’s

If you have found other good choices let me know and I’ll add them to this list (send an email through my web site, below)

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Heartburn is a common digestive complaint which affects an estimated 15 million Americans every day, and 60 million once a month. Relief of mild heartburn is typically achieved through diet and lifestyle changes, although medication (eg. antacids) is usually necessary if the heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What is Heartburn? What Are The Symptoms?

Heartburn is a digestive problem: it has nothing to do with your heart. It occurs when small amounts of stomach acid accidentally rise up the esophagus (the food canal running from the mouth to the stomach) causing symptoms like a burning pain in the chest which rises towards the throat. Sufferers may even taste the fluid in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. In many cases the pain and burning sensation is relatively mild, but sometimes is so severe that patients think they are experiencing a heart attack.

What Are The Causes Of Heartburn?

In general, the immediate cause of heartburn is the acidic digestive juices which leave the stomach and rise up the esophagus. The acid burns the tissue of the esophagus causing inflammation and pain - a condition called esophagitis. Heartburn may also occur in pregnancy when the baby is pressing up against the underside of the diaphragm and squeezing the stomach. An occasional episode of acid-regurgitation or indigestion is quite normal. But persistent heartburn (eg. twice a week), is usually a sign of something more serious. The two most common underlying causes of heartburn symptoms are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD is characterized by a failure of the muscular valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located at the bottom of the esophagus. The function of this valve is to keep acid in the stomach and prevent it leaking back up the esophagus. When this valve doesn’t work properly, reflux (leak-back) and heartburn can occur. Factors that contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease include obesity, pregnancy, smoking and, in particular, hiatal hernia.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatus or hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach herniates (protrudes) upwards into the chest through the hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm normally only occupied by the esophagus. This puts extra pressure on the LES valve preventing it from closing properly. As a result, stomach acid leaks into the esophagus causing heartburn. The underlying cause of hiatal hernia is unknown. Contributory factors include: obesity, pregnancy, constipation, abdominal muscle strain, and smoking.

Dietary Treatment For Heartburn

In cases of persistent heartburn, dietary improvements are not sufficient. So as well as advocating a digestion-friendly diet, your doctor is likely to recommend one or more of the following types of medication. Antacids to neutralize the acid in your stomach; H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid production; or prokinetics to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and expedite stomach-emptying. However, if heartburn symptoms are mild and occur only from time to time, usually you will be advised to make the following changes to your diet.

If Overweight, Switch To A Healthy Weight Loss Diet

Obesity, especially excess fat on the chest and abdomen, is a common contributory factor to GERD and hiatal hernia, and therefore to heartburn. So if you are obese (BMI > 30), take steps to normalize your weight and thus reduce your risk or symptoms of heartburn. Choose a healthy calorie-controlled diet and customize it by following the eating tips below.

Stop Eating Large Meals

A big meal distends the stomach and causes a rise in the production of stomach acid. Both these factors lead to an increased risk of heartburn. So opt for 4-6 small meals or snacks, and allow a maximum of 3 hours between eating. In addition, choose foods that are “easier on the stomach” and more more easily digested.

Avoid Acidic Food

Reduce your intake of very acidic foods by avoiding items such as: tomatoes, tomato-based sauces, citrus fruits, rhubarb, gooseberries, unripe fruit, vinegar and acidic pickles or relishes.

Cut Down On Fatty and Spicy Food

Fried or very fatty foods, including candy, encourage indigestion and should be avoided or eaten sparingly. So go easy on butter, mayo, sausages, salami, pate, meat pies, and full-fat cheese. The same applies to very spicy food such as: black pepper, chili peppers, curry, mustard and other hot spices, as well as raw onions and garlic.

Avoid Carbonated Drinks

Fizzy or carbonated soft drinks cause belching and upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the likelihood of heartburn. The best drinks include: water, herbal teas or diluted non-citrus fruit juices. Please also note that some soft drinks (eg. cocoa, coffee, orange juice) are not helpful for heartburn as they can over-relax the LES, thus encouraging the backward flow of acid from the stomach.

Eat More Fiber, Especially Soluble Fiber

Constipation can lead to extra strain on abdominal muscles and increase the risk of heartburn. To prevent constipation, eat more high-fiber foods such as: oats, apples, pears, dried apricots and vegetables. When increasing fiber intake it’s also important to increase your water intake by at least 40 fl oz a day.

Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is not helpful to heartburn for several reasons. So take steps to reduce your intake to one unit a day, or avoid it altogether. Alcohol is also a source of non-nutritious calories and can contribute to overweight.

Other Digestive Tips

For digestive disorders like heartburn, some dietitians and alternative health experts recommend patients to eat (or cook with) digestion-friendly aromatic herbs like basil, camomile, caraway, dill, fennel, rosemary and thyme. They also recommend that you end each meal with a glass of herbal tea (eg. camomile, fennel) to reduce acidity and wind.

Lifestyle Improvements To Reduce Heartburn

There are several lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. One obvious one is to stop smoking, as tobacco smoke increases acidity in the stomach. Other recommended changes include:

Avoid placing extra strain on your abdomen or chest. Wear loose-fitting clothes, and do not overstretch or lift heavy weights.

Do not lie down after eating, and try not to eat anything for at least three hours before going to bed. The less there is in your stomach when you come to lie down, the lower the risk of heartburn.

To minimize night-time discomfort, raise the head end of your bed by about 3 inches by using bed-blocks or by placing a solid object under the bed-legs. This helps to prevent stomach acid from leaking backwards into the esophagus. Do not use extra pillows - you simply end up with a stiff neck as well as heartburn!

Heartburn symptoms can be caused by certain over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, or other pain-killers or anti-inflammatories. So if you take this type of medication regularly, check with your doctor or pharmacist that it’s safe to continue.

Linda Smith B.Sc., RD, aged 51, is a qualified dietitian and nutritional consultant. She is part of the editorial team at Diet-i.com which provides a range of information about diet, nutrition and weight management to more than 5 million visitors per year.

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It’s hard to believe, but 1 in 5 of us live with digestive problems every single day. And if you’re like most people, you probably treat yourself with antacids or even stronger “purple pills” which neutralize stomach acid. But often these treatments cause stomach to produce even more acid, making your condition worse. Or, you may rely on laxatives to relieve constipation - which leads to diarrhea.

But digestive problems can quickly evolve beyond just gas and bloating. Your energy levels become radically reduced, and your immune system becomes compromised. You may even fall victim to such chronic health problems as migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, even high cholesterol.

Little wonder why many researchers now say that a disrupted ecology of the gastro-intestinal tract may cause up to 90% of illness and disease. So keeping your digestive system strong is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.

The Balance of Good vs. Evil

Did you know that both “friendly” and “unfriendly” micro-organisms inhabit the human intestinal tract simultaneously? In many cases, each contributes to the overall function and health of the intestinal tract, while keeping each other in “check”. Intestinal function runs at peak levels when the balance of “friendly” and “unfriendly” micro-organisms is stable.

Science tells us that healthy colon should contain at least 85% lactobacillus and 15% coliform bacteria. That’s the “good bacteria.”

But due to the conditions we have to endure living in a modern society where our natural good health is stripped-down by environmental toxins like pesticides, cigarette smoke, vehicle emissions, artificial ingredients and preservatives in our foods and so on - our “modern” colon is not a healthy one. Alarmingly, its bacterial balance is often opposite of what it should be! This unbalance brings the gas and bloating associated with indigestion, constipation, pathogenic organisms - as well as the malabsorption of essential nutrients our body needs to thrive.

One of the simplest, best ways to replenish your body’s supply of “friendly” intestinal flora is with a probiotic supplement. Probiotics help rebalance intestinal microflora, detoxify and cleanse your body, and actually reverse the imbalances that contribute to a barrage of health- and energy-robbing illnesses. They also have natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

When you start feeding your body these health-promoting bacteria, the difference can be remarkable. Most people feel results rather quickly.

What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Probiotics contain “live” microorganisms, which means they’re particularly sensitive to light, temperature, and air. Most quality probiotic supplements require refrigeration and special handling — but even then, you can’t be sure of their potency.

The probiotic you choose should contain close to 15 live strains of friendly flora - and deliver them at high enough levels to make a real difference in your health.

Unfortunately, most probiotics on the market today contain only 2-1/2 billion viable cells per capsule and only two or three different cultures. This is not nearly enough to provide you with the health protection you need.

The best quality probiotic supplements contain 22 billion viable cells per capsule and 49 billion viable cells per gram. They should also include a broad spectrum of at least 12 to 15 live cultures for total effectiveness. So be sure to check the label before you buy!

More and more doctors recommend probiotics as a safe, natural solution for their patients’ digestive problems. In fact, many agree that a high-quality friendly flora product is the most powerful weapon in their healing arsenal - and one of your most important as well.

In study after study, probiotics completely and efficiently cleanse from the inside out by replacing bad bacteria with important good bacteria - and to effectively power-pack your immune system so you can look and feel your absolute best.

Mary Faith Hunt is a nutritional researcher and President of Golden Health Products located in Quincy, IL. An expert on probiotics and digestive health, her company’s products have helped thousands of men, women, children and even their pets live happier, healthier, more active lives for over 12 years. For more information, visit http://www.goldenhealthproducts.com. You can subscribe to her new pet health ezine at http://www.goldenhealthpets.com. Contact Mary Faith directly at berries@adams.net.

As I’m sure you well know, stress somehow manages to affect all of us to some degree and for good reason. On a daily basis our lives are filled with situations that create tension. Many of these tense moments come from obligations to our family, friends, job and the many things that keep us busy throughout a normal day in out lives. As you can imagine, this buildup of stress can be harmful to your health unless you find a way to relieve it. Doing so will allow you to lead a more relaxed and healthier lifestyle full of vigor and energy. One way to accomplish this and reduce your stress levels is through the use of nutrition, such as vitamins and minerals.

One of the easiest ways to get the nutrition you need to help lower your stress levels is through the food you consume. The key to success here is to eat a variety of meals that subscribe to a well balanced diet. Not only will this help to reduce your stress levels but it will also have you felling better. You can also expand upon this stress relief and feeling better diet by throwing in some daily exercise. It has been proven that exercising daily while consuming a well balanced diet high in nutrition will help to reduce stress in your busy life.

A nutritious diet that is formulated to combat stress needs to consist of whole grains, which are high in vitamin B. This will have the effect of slowing the sugar substances that run throughout your blood. You will want to combine this with a diet consisting of fewer carbohydrates and saturated fats as they contain an above average amount of energy and sugar levels.

As many bodybuilders already know a diet high in protein can be very beneficial in meeting your nutritional needs in order to reduce stress. Protein can be found in abundance in food such as yogurt and fish. Throw in some fruit and salad and your body will start to appreciate the food it’s consuming and you will practically start to feel your stress levels decrease and ultimately vanish.

Although many people associate snacks with overweight conditions the truth is they provide an additional way to help lower your stress. A nutritious snack will provide the energy boost needed throughout the day allowing you to focus on the problems at hand and thereby eliminate any stress before it gets out of control. Snacks have also been reported to promote a calming effect to take place that allows your body to effectively handle any stress that appears as a result of your busy day. The main point to remember here is that your snacks consist of healthy foods full of nutrition, vitamins and minerals.

As you can see taking the time to plan a proper diet that is full nutritious meals will provide your body with the necessary nutrients needed to function at a higher level. Adding the proper nutrition to your diet will allow you to live a healthier life and empower you with the necessary energy levels to handle stress and in many cases actually lower or even eliminate any stress that you may have been feeling.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of VitaminSupplementsGuide.com. He provides more information on nutrition, vitamins and information on reducing stress with nutrition that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

According to the National Digestive Disease information clearinghouse in Bethesda, MD, 60 to 70 million Americans suffer from digestive diseases; however, acidophilus supplements may help them to diminish their digestive conditions.

Procedures of current commercial food processing can destroy viable beneficial organisms, making it difficult for the body to maintain good intestinal flora. Even the majority of yogurt products no longer contain a viable acidophilus culture. Poor intestinal flora is, at times, due to preservatives, additives, alcohol, high-fat diets, birth control pills, and stress.

Intestinal flora is often damage by antibiotics drugs, which kill all kinds of bacteria, both good and bad. Antibiotic effects on intestinal flora can last for weeks even after the drug is discontinued. This situation may lead to allergies, fatigue, yeast overgrowth, poor digestion and chronic infections, among other things.

Beneficial bacteria can be reintroduced into the system by acidophilus supplements. Acidophilus supplementation has important benefits not only for digestive system, according to experts, such as: Keeping constipation and diarrhea under control; reduction of bad breath; counteracting lactose intolerance by its association with lactase; cholesterol control by promoting normal absorption of dietary fats; reduction of internal gas; suppression of candida yeast; prevention of intestinal contamination from infectious organisms common in some foreign countries; and suppression of a number of intestinal disorders.

Acidophilus contains bacteria that have a symbiotic, or mutually beneficial, relationship with the human stomach. It is a nutritional supplement product, which is often added to milk or other dairy products or it is also sold as a capsule.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of www.acidophiluseffects.com a website about Acidophilus Effects, plus you may read the free online guide for Healthy Eating Habits at www.acidophiluseffects.com/healthy-eating-habits/ , thanks for using this article in your website or ezine keeping a live link.