Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 20, 2007
Do You Know These Secrets of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C also known as Ascorbic Acid is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important for the development of collagen. Collagen is a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Collagen has many benefits, supports a range of the body's structures and is necessary to the formation of bones and teeth
Humans, unlike most other animals, do not generate their own vitamin C, and they need to take it through foods sources which are rich in Vitamin C. This vitamin is measured a cure-all for a lot of diseases and problems - from cancer to common cold.
Benefits of Vitamin C
1) Vitamin C in addition to avoiding Scurvy, it has been shown to diminish the length of colds and to lighten their severity. It does not, however, avoids colds or modifies their frequency. Vitamin C may help prevent lead poisoning, and some scientists suppose it can be used in the treatment of cancer.
2) Vitamin C serves a predominantly defensive position in the body.
3) It is a great antioxidant and helps defend the body against pollutants
4) It helps in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and strengthening the walls of the capillaries
5) Vitamin C helps in the prevention of degenerative diseases - such as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
6) Ascorbic acid promotes healthy cell growth, proper calcium absorption, normal tissue growth and restore - like healing of wounds and burns.
7) Vitamin C is required for healthy gums, to help defend against infection, helps decrease cholesterol level, high blood pressure and avoids arteriosclerosis.
What can happen with the Vitamin C Deficiency?
Vitamin C Deficiency result in hemorrhages under the skin and a tendency to bruise effortlessly, poor wound healing, weakness, poor digestion, bleeding gums and loose teeth.
Low levels of vitamin C have been related with a number of conditions including hypertension, gallbladder disease, stroke and some cancers.
Edema (also called water retention) also takes place due to a Vitamin C deficiency, along with aching joints, bronchial infection and colds.
Vitamin C Dosage
The average (recommended dietary allowance) RDA is 60-80mg, per day.
For young people it is 80 mg, 75 mg for adults, 100 mg during pregnancy and 150 mg during lactation. Men should take more vitamin C than women and persons who smoke cigarettes are encouraged to consume 35-40 mg more vitamin C than average adults. This is because smoking reduces vitamin C levels in the body and is a catalyst for organic processes, which damage cells.
Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin C
Symptoms of scurvy, the vitamin C deficiency disease include –
1) Bleeding gums (also called gingivitis) and skin discoloration
2) Poor healing of wound.
3) Poor immune function, including susceptibility to cold and other infections.
Vitamin C Sources
Consuming the number of foods that contain vitamin C is the most excellent mode to get the required amount of Vitamin C each day. Healthy persons who eat a balanced diet do not need any Vitamin C supplements.
Amla (Indian gooseberry) is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried or in powdered form.
Some of the good sources of vitamin C are oranges, kiwi fruit, mango, broccoli olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and citrus juices or juices equipped with Vitamin C.
Raw and cooked green leafy vegetables, peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mangetout, red peppers, chilies, watercress, parsley, blackcurrants are also rich sources of Vitamin C.
How to retain vitamin C
To avoid loss of vitamin C:
• Serve fruits and vegetables raw as far as possible.
• Steam, boil, or cook foods in a very minute amount of water
• Store prepared juices in Refrigerator, but no more than two to three days.
• Store cut and raw fruits, vegetables in an airtight container and refrigerate - do not store in water because Vitamin C is water soluble and gets dissolved in the water.
Eating foods rich in Vitamin C in their fresh, raw form is the finest way to maximize intake of vitamin C.
Vitamin C Overdose
Vitamin C overdose of may result in diarrhea, lip swelling, and in very severe cases difficulty in breathing.
Vitamin C overdose causes stomachaches with a lot of side effects such as stomach pain and nausea. Vitamin C Overdoes can also result in stomach cramps, skin rashes, and too much urination.
Vitamin C overdose should be avoided and must be avoided particularly by people with iron excess diseases such as Hemochromatosis.
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 20, 2007
A tiny investment that will save your skin!
When we think about the importance of water, most of us think only about our drinking water. It's true that quality drinking water is a very important component to our well being. However, what about those steamy hot showers some of us like to take? Are the effects of bacteria-killing chlorine in our water making our daily showers safer or are we endangering our health?
A look at Skin
Remember in school how we would jokingly tell our classmates that their epidermis was showing? We learned that the skin is the body's largest organ. In fact, the skin is the largest eliminatory organ in our body, helping us to get rid of toxins through perspiration.
While most of us are familiar with this aspect of the skin, in recent years, we've gained more understanding of the skin's role in overall health. Our skin is a two-way organ. Along with eliminating toxins, the skin absorbs and transports nutrients to various places in the body. Liquids are absorbed through our hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Every inch of your skin has about 65 hair follicles, more than 600 sweat glands and approximately 100 sebaceous glands.
In the shower, your epidermis isn't only showing- it's absorbing- every square inch of it. In fact, experts say that 60% of everything you use on your skin gets absorbed into your circulation, from water to lotions and other cosmetics.
Chlorinated Water and THMs
Since the early 1900's chlorine has been added to our water to get rid of harmful bacteria. For over 25 years researchers have been looking into chlorine and the by-products that chlorinated water produces. While most studies have concentrated on drinking water, more and more studies are pointing to the dangers of showering with water that is highly chlorinated.
Why is absorbing chlorine through the skin thought to be so dangerous? When you swallow water, you can count on the liver to filter out many toxins- but when something gets absorbed through your skin, it goes straight into the circulatory system.
Scientists have recently concluded that Trihalomethanes (THMs) -- by-products of chlorinated water -- are absorbed through the skin and accumulate in the bladder. THMs have long been suspected of increasing the risk of bladder cancer. Now, it seems suspicions are being confirmed. What's more, Dr. Christina Villenueva, a leading researcher in chlorine exposure, says that "Inhaling or absorbing THMs may lead to a higher concentration in target organs, such as the kidney, bladder and colon."
Much of the problem comes from inhaling the steam from a hot shower -- but most of us don't enjoy taking a cold shower!
Not only does showering with chlorinated water appear to increase the risks of bladder and other cancers- it can make you look old. Most of us can attest to how it strips natural oils from our skin and hair. Just ask any avid swimmer how damaging chlorine can be to hair.
Shower Filters
A shower filter is becoming one of the best health investments you can make. Here's why:
--The best shower filters --particularly those utilizing vitamin C -- will remove 99% of the chlorine from the water before it touches your skin.
--They are easy to install and are effective at high temperatures.
--Without chlorine in the water, soaps and shampoos lather up much better.
Many who've suffered from dry, flaking and itchy skin, notice immediate relief after showering with a filter. And many more find that color-treated hair fades more slowly.
Luckily, you don't have to give up those hot steamy showers, after all. (That goes for singing in the shower, too!)
Stan Howard is a researcher with Best Water, water purification specialists. For an independent review of the leading shower filters on the market, go to: http://www.waterionizer.org/site/898596/product/RS01
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 20, 2007
To scooter or not to scooter
Scooters are an increasingly popular way to zip around to do errands, make parking a snap, and cut down on fuel costs. •Want to make a fashion statement ride a scooter, even large companies are using TV ads showing a pretty girl ridding a pink scooter wearing a pink helmet with scraf blowing in the wind to peddle their wares. •Forever being popular in cites in Europe, Asia, and Latin America they are smaller and easier to use than their motorcycle cousins, and have long been popular in cities in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. •But lately, the economics of scootering has helped them gain fans here in the U.S. With a final bill that won't exceed most credit-card limits, a scooter makes a great substitute for a spare vehicle for errands. That's why sales are soaring in urban hot spots such as Miami and New York as well as in the suburbs. These cities are setting the pace along with Seattle with huge parking problems and its urban generation adding to a real scooter fad. •With a basic operation of twist and go plus brakes like a bicyle first time time find the ease of ridding a scooter delightful. Unlike a lot of motorcycles of today scooters have a step through design that allows you to sit upright for all to see. •Many scooters have built-in storage space under the seat. They also have rear racks, bag hooks and options for more carrying capacity. •Storage capacity is just one important consideration when deciding on the proper scooter, and there are many models and options on the market.
Michael Milstead is the owner of Scootertronics.com that is an online store that retails top-model scooters in every category. Customers can choose from gas and electric motors, and from two- and four-stroke engines. For more information, please visit http://www.scootertronics.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 20, 2007
Batteries: Understanding the Impact they have in Our Daily Lives
When one stops to consider the number of machines, gadgets and devises that we have come to depend on to get us through our day, the mind boggles. Here in Ontario, we are a little paranoid when it comes to electrical power. The news media and consumers alike carefully track the rising price of electricity. We are concerned about the future cost of electricity and we are worried that Ontario Power Generation will not be able to produce enough to meet all the needs of the province. With our fixation on electricity, sometimes we fail to consider how much we depend on batteries to provide both a primary source and supplemental source of power throughout our daily lives.
It would be difficult to find a home that did not have at least one battery-powered device. Over the last hundred years we have depended on batteries. For decades we have been using batteries to help start our cars, illuminate our flashlights, and run our battery-operated toys. Battery operated transistor radios were the iPods of the sixties. Today, batteries are used as a power source for an ever-growing range of products and devices. All the modern-day gadgets that we have come to depend on for work and play, our cell phones, iPods, Blackberries, power tools, camcorders, cameras, watches and much more, all require batteries to run.
Manufactured with a limited life span and containing caustic material, and by their very nature, not highly recyclable, batteries do not have a great reputation with environmentalists. However, batteries play a major role in the alternative power movement and the shift toward renewable and green power sources. Today’s electrical powered or hybrid cars rely on speciality batteries to store the electrical power that runs the car. Solar panels, that use the sun as a source of power, utilize batteries to store the power collect for future use. Windmills, that derive power from the wind, also store the power it generates with batteries.
There are as many different sizes and different types of batteries such as coin, lithium-ion, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, as there are applications for their use. It seems like, that for every battery-operated appliance there is a specialty battery made just for that product. Sometimes it seems like you have every single battery except the one that you require.
Our need for batteries is so great that there are now companies who deal exclusively in batteries. Due to our reliance on batteries, finding a quality battery store is crucial. Some key factors to keep in mind when finding a battery are: the size of the store, variety and types of batteries that are stocked in the store, good value/pricing, hassle-free ordering, and satisfaction guarantees. An added benefit of a quality battery store is their ability to locate unusual special order products.
Our dependency on batteries is greater today than ever before. They power much of our lives, and their applications will continue to expand, increasingly reaching into every aspect of modern life.
BatteryBuyer.com offers one of the widest selections of third party batteries, plus many items you just can't find elsewhere. For more information, please visit http://www.batterybuyer.com or call Mike O’Neill at 705-657-2749.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 20, 2007
How to get your hot water straight from the sun
Hot water straight from the sun may sound too good to be true, but even in the UK a solar hot water system can supply you with over 50% of your hot water needs over the year (the other 50% coming from a conventional gas boiler or electric heater). With recent high energy prices, and concerns about Climate Change, more and more people are looking to take advantage of this tried and tested technology to save energy in their home.
A solar hot water system works by capturing the sun’s heat with solar panels fitted to your roof. This transfers the heat to a fluid, which in turn transfers the heat to a hot water cylinder to store the heated water during the day.
A surprisingly large amount of energy can be captured this way, even in cooler climates like the UK. Over 1000 kwh of energy is received each year in the UK on each square metre of surface. That’s about 60% of the solar radiation found at the equator. Even on cloudy days we receive energy from indirect sunlight and this energy replaces the gas or electricity that would otherwise be used to heat water. Altogether this adds up to a big saving on fuel, and a big benefit for the environment. Each solar hot water system saves around half to three-quarters of a ton of carbon dioxide each year
Solar hot water is usually the most cost effective renewable energy system you can install at home, with a shorter payback than other options, e.g. wind or solar electricity generation. The payback is improved even more by the government grants that are available in the UK.
It is also a tried and tested technology that has been around since the 1970s. Very little maintenance is generally required for solar hot water systems. They normally come with a 10 year guarantee. They generally only need a basic check by you once a year and a check by a professional every 3-5 years.
Before you decide to move ahead with the purchase of a solar hot water system you need to check that your property is suitable. You will need 2 to 5 square metres of southish facing roof space (i.e. southeast, south, or southwest facing), that has little or no shading during the day. You may also need space to locate an additional hot water cylinder if it is needed. Solar hot water systems generally work well in partnership with condensing boilers. They do not generally work well with combination boiler systems. Installation with these usually involves extra cost.
Installation costs vary due to factors such as size of the solar panels, type of roof, the existing hot water system and where your house is. The typical installation costs are between £2,000 and £5,000, although you can get several hundred pounds in grants from the UK Government to help with these. The cheapest systems are generally those based on ‘flat plate collectors’, which will cost between £2,000 and £3,000. Another type of system (an ‘evacuated tube’ system) generally costs £3,500 to £5,000, but needs less roof space to provide the same amount of water heating, because it is more efficient. An installer will help you decide which type of system is best for you.
If you are interested in installing a system, you should contact a reputable installer to carry out a survey of your home, and get a quote. They will be able to assess your property’s suitability, advise you on which system is best, give you a quote and help you with grant funding. Before you can qualify for grant funding from the UK government for a system like this, you need to have already installed some basic energy efficiency measures in your home, such as low energy light bulbs, insulation and efficient heating controls.
Alex Perry is a founder of http://www.downwithco2.co.uk, a site dedicated to making it easy for people to save energy and cut their personal contribution to Climate Change by giving them information and putting them in touch with companies that can help. For more information on how to save energy in the home visit http://www.downwithco2.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 17, 2007
The Wind Farm Debate
Wind power is proportional to the cube of the wind's speed, so relatively minor increases in speed result in large changes in potential output. Individual turbines vary in size and power output from a few hundred watts to two or three megawatts (as a guide, a typical domestic system would be 2.5 - 6 kilowatts, depending on the location and size of the home).
Uses range from very small turbines supplying energy for battery charging systems (e.g. on boats or in homes), to turbines grouped on wind farms supplying electricity to the grid.
In Saddleworth, near Greater Manchester, an eco-war about wind turbines is waging. United Utilities want to build seven 350 foot wind turbines.
These will generate enough power to supply the average electricity needs of 8,500 homes in the local area. This wind farm is not situated out to sea but in the picturesque hills of the Saddleworth Moors and would be visible for miles around. Government targets state that 10% of the UK's energy should be supplied by renewable resources by 2010 and developments like the Saddleworth Moor turbines would contribute towards that total. Leading environmentalists from across the country have previously convened in Saddleworth for the first ever National Forum opposing the creation of wind farms on rural beauty spots.
World renowned TV botanist, Professor David Bellamy, joined former Downing Street press secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham and hundreds of activists at the National Wind Farm Group Conference. There were a total of representatives from over 50 environmental groups from across the country attending this event. It aimed to raise awareness about the perceived dangers of wind farms and bring environmental groups closer together in their fight against the government.
The Saddleworth Moors Action Group says the turbines would have a negative impact on a unique landscape. The group also insist their campaign is not prompted by "not in my backyard" sentiments, but through a genuine desire to preserve the character of the local area.
One could argue that the government is not bothered about the environment then they are continually financing the construction of coal fired power stations in the third world and building more airports and more motorways in Britain? As tensions are mounting in Iran and Nigeria leading to increased oil prices, is now not the ideal time to exploit wind power both on land and at sea via grants to companies? With labour slipping up at the local elections in 05/06 and the Conservatives pushing the eco argument, is not in Labours interest to follow the Conservatives lead and not to pay lip service to wind farms as they currently do?
OR
Will the people that have to live near wind farms and see the things every day change their minds and believe that wind farms form a concerted effort to save the environment or just another commercial money making scheme for the companies involved?
See renewable energy companies in GuideMeGreen's green directory
About the Author
Davinos Greeno works for the fairtrade food and ethical clothes directory that lists 100s of Organic and Ethical Companies and we also have Health Articles for you to read or publish.
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 17, 2007
Nuclear Power becomes Popular Again
Construction of nuclear power plants declined following the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl. Lately, there has been renewed interest in nuclear energy from national governments, the public, and some notable environmentalists due to increased oil prices, new passively safe designs of plants, and the low emission rate of greenhouse gas which some governments need to meet the standards of the Kyoto Protocol. A few reactors are under construction, and several new types of reactors are planned.
As of 2006 there are 442 licensed nuclear power reactors in operation in the world, operating in 31 different countries. Nuclear power plants currently provide about 17 percent of the world's electricity, yet how much of the world's current and future environmental problems does Nuclear Power contribute to? Nuclear power has both powerful enemies and friends but does the bottom line come down to costs? The December 2005 World Nuclear Association report The New Economics of Nuclear Power states that "Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of electricity generation, except where there is direct access to low-cost fossil fuels". The need for cheap energy can not be argued when every week price increases are announced from all the gas and electricity suppliers in the UK. The Ukraine recently had their gas supply stopped by Russia, how long is it before this happens to the UK? Do we not need to be self-sufficient when it comes to the generation of power? Can renewable energy not begin to take a larger role in this supply? See GuideMeGreens green directory for renewable energy companies and recycled products in the UK.
The report goes on to say that fuel costs for nuclear plants are a minor proportion of total generating costs, though capital costs are greater than those for coal-fired plants. At the NIA 2006 launch of the Commission's position paper on the role of nuclear it confirmed "that nuclear is a low carbon technology with an impressive safety record in the UK" and "Nuclear could generate large quantities of electricity, contribute to stabilising CO2 emissions and add to the diversity of the UK's energy supply." While we have an impressive record of safety in the UK, Chernobyl has proved that a nuclear accident thousands of miles away can effect the UK for decades to come. The Tsunami also caused problems at Nuclear Power plants around Asia as the plants are built near the sea due to the large amount of water needed to cool the rectors. Greenpeace has always fought vigorously against nuclear power because they believe that it is an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity and that the only solution is to halt the expansion of all nuclear power, and for the shutdown of existing plants.
Author: greendave
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 17, 2007
Could You Have a Sleeping Disorder?
Are you one of the eighteen million people in this country suffering from a sleep disorder? Even more disturbing is the fact that up to 4% of persons suffering from sleep disorders are undiagnosed. How can you tell if you have a sleep disorder? Here are some signs you may be experiencing significant sleep problems that require professional evaluation.
1.You have trouble going to sleep at night.
While this is a common complaint among the normal population, if the problem persists it may signal the presence of a sleep disorder.
2.You have trouble maintaining sleep.
Do you wake up frequently in the night and have trouble returning to sleep? This may be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder such as sleep apnea where you stop breathing for brief periods during the night.
3. You experience recurrent early morning awakening.
This can be a sign of depression or a sign of a more serious sleep disorder. You doctor should be able to help you determine the cause and get you on a proper course of treatment.
4. You snore consistently during the night.
Snoring can be another sign of sleep apnea. Not every person who snores regularly has sleep apnea, although it's present in almost all persons diagnosed with sleep apnea. Does your partner notice that you stop breathing for short spells when you snore? This is further support for the diagnosis of sleep apnea. Now's a good time to schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out a sleep disorder.
5. You're consistently tired during the day.
Even though you may think you're sleeping well at night, constant daytime fatigue may suggest otherwise. This may be one of the first signs of an undiagnosed sleep disorder.
6. You exhibit atypical behaviors during sleep.
These unusual behaviors may include periods of appearing not to breathe while sleeping which can be a sign of sleep apnea, and sleep walking, commonly known as somnambulism. Have your partner watch you when you sleep for a few days and make note of any abnormal behaviors. These should be reported to your doctor when you seek your evaluation for a possible sleep disorder.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor for further evaluation. He may suggest a sleep study to further evaluate the potential for sleep disorder and get you on the path to a better night's sleep. If you have a sleep disorder, you're not alone and there are a variety of effective treatment options available to help you get a restful night's sleep!
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 17, 2007
ABC’s of Peyronie’s Disease
Author: MN_Nikk
When a hard lump or plaque is formed men’s penis causing it pain, curvature and distortion in the – they are suffering from Peyronie's disease. It is a condition that occurs in about 1% of men, most commonly in men aged 40 to 60 years, also with young and elderly men. The incidence is so high because men are so reluctant to ask for medical help.
The disease causes very uneven degrees of deformity and inconvenience. Some men are having difficulty. Worst thing is some find sexual intercourse physically impossible. Men should consult medical advice even though some men don’t mind having it treated.
Here are the symptoms of Peyronie’s:
• A lump within the shaft of the penis: this can slowly develop over several months and frequently takes 12 to 18 months to reach its full extent.
• Pain in the shaft of the penis: two-thirds of men with Peyronie's disease will experience pain in the penis. In most cases, it will gradually settle down and disappear without treatment in a few months.
• Abnormal angulations of the erect penis ('bent' penis): during the 12 to 18 months that the plaque or lump is developing, the deformity of the erect penis can change - 30 to 40 per cent get worse, 10 to 20 per cent get better and 50 per cent remain the same.
As a consequence, some men develop varying degrees of erectile dysfunction (impotence). This can vary from a complete inability to attain and/or maintain an erection adequate for satisfactory sexual experience to a slight reduction in penile rigidity.
When the penis becomes erect, the inner tubes (corpora cavernosa) inflate, filling the space within the tunica albuginea, making it more rigid. In Peyronie's disease, tough, fibrous plaques spontaneously appear within the tunica albuginea, and are felt as tender lumps. When the penis becomes erect, it inflates unevenly and tends to bend around the plaque, causing the characteristic deformed appearance of Peyronie's disease.
One in three men with Peyronie’s have pain or penile bending when erect as their principal symptom. Experts are not certain why some men get Peyronie's disease and others do not. Several factors might be involved, including:
1. Genetics
2. Injury
3. Circulatory Disorders
4. Diabetes
The good news is that correction for Peyronie’s disease is available and only in very few cases involves surgery. Most of the times the body will cure itself (to some extent at least), so doctors recommend a period of 8 to 12 month before surgery.
Here’s the treatment of Peyronie's disease:
• Drug Therapy
It is very controversial because it can have numerous side effects and has not yet been proven very effective.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Shockwaves are directed at penile plaques and can significantly reduce deformities in established, stable disease;
• Surgery
It is the last resort because of extreme risk of scars, injuries, infections etc.
• Penis Stretchers
It may be used to reduce the curvature of the penis. Penis traction devices will not damage your penis further more, but in some cases they may have only limited effect on correcting penile curvature.
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (0)
Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Aug 17, 2007
Getting the Right Bacteria Balance
What are Probiotics? Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in your digestive tract. Your digestive trace is home to more than 500 different species of bacterial, ideally 80 are the bad ones. There are literally trillions of individual bacteria residing in the digestive tract with the majority of the population living in the large intestine. The two most prevalent probiotics are Lactobacilla, which make up the majority of the probiotics living in your small intestine and Bifidobacteria, the most prevalent probiotic living in your large intestine.
Well, for starters, did you know that 70 of the good bacteria in your system. You receive good bacteria through your diet. Fermented dairy and vegetable foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut are high in good bacteria. If you want to increase good bacteria, eat those foods and more importantly, eat a high fiber diet (25 grams or more per day). Why? Because good bacteria love to eat fiber. When they eat soluble fiber they multiply and when they multiply, the crowed out bad bacteria and maintain the proper balance. You can also support your bacterial balance by taking high potency supplements formulated with the correct balance of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Remember: (1) Eat fermented foods. (2) Eat plenty of fiber. (3) Take a high potency supplement with the proper balance of Bifidobacteria to Lactobacilli.
Small Intestine: Lactobacilli
In a healthy small intestine, the most prevalent probiotics are Lactobacilli. Lactobacilli help to regulate the immune system, digest nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and milk sugar and produce compounds and acids that create an unfriendly environment for potentially harmful bacteria (which are always present and fighting for more space). Lactobacilli are also the most prevalent probiotic in the vagina where they create acidic compounds that help keep other organisms in minimal numbers.
Large Intestine: Bifidobacteria
In a healthy large intestine, the most prevalent probiotics are Bifidobacteria. Because the large intestine has less constant movement than the small intestine, it is easier for potentially harmful bacteria to take up residence here and to multiply. Bifidobacteria are your major line of defense against bad bacteria in the large intestine. They fight bad bacteria with their sheer numbers. They also produce acidic compounds that help reduce bad bacteria's ability to multiply. Bifidobacteria also ferment soluble fiber; a dietary substance that would otherwise be useless to the human body without the help of bacteria. Bifidobacteria ferment soluble fiber and produce compounds including short chain fatty acids, Vitamin B and Vitamin K. Unfortunately, as important as Bifidobacteria are in sustaining the health of the large intestine and protecting us from harmful bacteria, studies show that the population of Bifidobacteria in our gut declines with age. Many researchers are exploring the link between the decline and the adverse effects of aging. Colon polyps and colon cancer is a predominate reason for a healthy intestinal tract.
To choose the correct probiotic supplement for you, consult a Natural Health Food and Supplement expert.
www.firstmedicalonline.com
Articles from August 2007
More articles from Year 2007
Comments (1)