Thursday, July 24, 2008

What Are B Complex Vitamins

What Are B Complex Vitamins

There are eight vitamins that make up the vitamin B complex:

1. Thiamine or Vitamin B1

2. Riboflavin or Vitamin B2

3. Niacin or Vitamin B3

4. Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6

5. Cobalamine or Vitamin B12

6. Choline

7. Inositol

8. Para-amino benzoic

Much discussion has surrounded the B complex vitamins benefit to the human body. The eight vitamins that make up the B complex each have a specific function to perform in the human body. In the B complex vitamin all eight individual vitamins help maintain a healthy human body.

Since the B complex vitamin is water soluble they must be taken daily. The reason for this is because water soluble vitamins are difficult to restore in the body.

The age of an individual will determine how much vitamin B complex they will take. There are several good benefits you can receive by taking vitamin B complex. Nervousness and pressure can be lessened if you take vitamin B complex. If you suffer from tiredness this can be reduced by taking vitamin B complex. In addition, a regular intake of vitamin B complex can help individuals recover sooner from sickness.

In addition, your bodies appearance can benefit from a regular intake of vitamin B complex. You will grow healthier hair with B complex vitamins. There are also skin creams that will help your skin condition which contain vitamin B complex. Vitamin B complex can also be used to help treat dermatitis.

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Monday, July 21, 2008

What does natural and organic mean on a cosmetic label

What does natural and organic mean on a cosmetic label

What does 'natural' and 'organic' mean on a cosmetic label?
Nowhere do the terms "natural" or "organic" take a more gratuitous bruising than the cosmetics industry! Here we hope to clarify some basic differences between Miessence and others....

Miessence definition of natural:
"Existing in, or formed by nature; not artificial."
Commercial definition of natural: "Any ingredient "derived from" a natural substance."

Explanation: We often see long chemical names followed by the phrase "derived from coconut oil". For example, to create cocamide DEA from coconut oil requires the use of a carcinogenic synthetic chemical (diethanolamine - DEA). It is therefore no longer natural (or safe). To insinuate that it is a natural substance by adding the phrase "derived from coconut oil" is deceitful. Just because vodka can be made from potatoes, doesn't mean it's good for you!

Miessence definition of organic:
"Grown, cultivated and stored without the use of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, fumigants and other toxins."
Commercial definition of organic: "Any compound containing carbon."

Explanation: The organic chemistry definition of organic, is any compound containing carbon. Carbon is found in anything that has ever lived. So, by using this definition of organic we could say that the toxic petrochemical preservative, methyl paraben is "organic" because it was formed by leaves that rotted over thousands of years to become the crude oil used to make this toxic preservative.

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What is Organic Food

What is Organic Food

Using the label "organic" to distinguish one tomato from another is a big stretch from the word's original meaning, for until the middle of the twentieth century it simply meant something living or derived from living matter. In that sense, the idea of an "inorganic tomato" is a contradiction in terms, unless it is, say, a tomato-shaped glass ornament. With very few exceptions -- salt is one -- all our food is "organic" no matter how it is produced.

The specific sense of "organic" we use when we speak of "organic food" today traces back to 1942, when J. I. Rodale launched a magazine called Organic Gardening. Nowadays Rodale is hailed as a pioneer, but then he was often derided as a crank and a throwback to obsolete ways of farming. He advocated maintaining soil fertility and stability by putting organic matter -- animal manure or compost -- back into the soil rather than relying on the "inorganic," or synthetic, fertilizers that were then widely seen as the modern way to go. So in Rodale's usage, it was the fertilizers, and from them, the farming methods, rather than the food, that were organic, and the concern was primarily with the soil, not with issues like biodiversity or animal welfare. But the meaning of "organic farming" soon parted company from Rodale's original narrow distinction between fertilizers. Varying definitions spun out of control as different associations of "organic farmers" tried to set standards in accordance with their own values. Some wanted to stick with a narrow definition in terms of what you could and could not put on the soil, the crops, or the animals. Others wanted to include an entire way of life, including healthy living, an equitable form of distribution, concern for wildlife, and so on. Among organizations of organic farmers around the world, the broader view prevailed. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements settled on this definition:

Organic agriculture is an agricultural system that promotes environmentally, socially, and economically sound production of food, fiber, timber, etc. In this system, soil fertility is seen as the key to successful production. Working with the natural properties of plants, animals, and the landscape, organic farmers aim to optimize quality in all aspects of agriculture and the environment.

Such a definition does not, however, lend itself to being reduced to a label that can be put on products to show that they were produced organically. Without specific standards that could be encapsulated in a label, consumers were often unsure what the various "organic" labels used by different associations and producers really meant.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress decided to clear up the confusion by authorizing the Department of Agriculture to establish legally enforceable "USDA Organic" standards and a certification scheme so that consumers could be confident that their food really had been produced in accordance with the standards. That led, in 2002, to a set of standards that most people in organic farming considered a reasonable compromise among the various views of what organic farming is all about. Crops must be grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, and most synthetic pesticides and all herbicides are also banned, although biological and botanical methods of control can be used. Soil fertility is to be maintained by the use of animal and plant waste (but not sewage sludge, which can contain toxic heavy metals), crop rotation, and growing "cover crops" like clover between other crops. (Cover crops are plowed into the soil to restore nitrogen and organic matter.) Animals used for meat, eggs, or milk must eat organic grains or other organic food and must not be given growth hormones or antibiotics. (Sick or injured animals may be treated with antibiotics, but then their meat, milk, or eggs cannot be sold as organic.) Organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants. Neither plants nor animals can be the product of genetic engineering, and organic food cannot be irradiated.

Reprinted from: The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter by Peter Singer and Jim Mason © 2006 Peter Singer and Jim Mason. (May 2006; $25.95US/$34.95CAN; 1-57954-889-X) Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at www.rodalestore.com.
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What the Hoodia Weight Loss Industry Can Learn From the Trimspa Case

What the Hoodia Weight Loss Industry Can Learn From the Trimspa Case

TrimSpa found itself being investigated by the FTC after its popular advertising campaign claimed that the late Anna Nicole Smith had lost 69 pounds after using TrimSpa's signature product, TrimSpa X32. During its investigation, the FTC found that the ads didn’t explain that Anna Nicole was paid — and more importantly, the TrimSpa claims were not backed up by any scientific research.

The FTC ultimately brought a case against TrimSpa and it was announced in January of 2007 that TrimSpa settled with the FTC for $1.5 million. In addition, TrimSpa was banned from making any further claims about the "health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety or side effects" of Trimspa’s supposed miracle ingredient, hoodia gordonii, unless it came up with some evidence.

Although hoodia is extremely popular today, very few people actually know much about it. As a result, there are many companies out there who are taking advantage of this and are marketing hoodia gordonii as some kind of miracle weight loss pill. Despite all the hype, all hoodia gordonii does is suppress appetite. It does not burn fat, increase metabolism, or "magically" melt the fat away.

All these claims being thrown around have really got the FTC's attention, as shown by the TrimSpa case. The TrimSpa case is sure to be just the beginning of more cases to come. The hoodia industry is in complete disarray right now. Most companies are exaggerating what hoodia gordonii can do. Certainly, TrimSpa is not the only one. Even more disturbing than all these exaggerated claims is the authenticity of the hoodia diet pills that are sold today.

A consumer advocacy group did a study in 2006 where 17 of the most popular hoodia brands were tested for authenticity. Only six brands were shown to have authentic hoodia gordonii! That's a shocking statistic when you consider the failure rate was slightly higher than 60%.

So just what does all this mean to the hoodia weight loss industry?

It means there could be a dramatic change in the landscape of the hoodia industry if the TrimSpa case is any indication. Currently, almost every company that sells and markets hoodia diet pills exaggerates to some extent what hoodia gordonii can actually do. Furthermore, the majority of the hoodia diet pills on the market today contain very little, if any, hoodia gordonii.

The crackdown by the FTC on such prominent companies as TrimSpa is good news for the consumer. With future cases that are certain to be brought about by the FTC, companies will have no choice but to straighten up their act or face stiff fines or possibly be forced to quit selling their hoodia products all together.

The only companies left standing will be those who are honest about what hoodia gordonii can do and who sell authentic hoodia gordonii. We may be surprised to find only a few left standing given the current state of the hoodia weight loss industry!

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What to Do When Given Wine to Test in a Restaurant

What to Do When Given Wine to Test in a Restaurant

Restaurants (especially good ones) are in the habit of pouring a small glass of wine to the 'head' of the table to test it. Usually what follows is an embarrasing charade in which the tester takes a sip of the wine, nods meekly to the waiter or waitress and says 'that's lovely, thanks.' But Why do restaurants do this and what is the proper way to respond?
Many people think that it is to give you a chance to check that you like the wine and send it back if you don't. But this has nothing to do with it - no restaurant is going to open an expensive bottle only for you to say it's not to your taste and can they open another for you! In fact, it is to give you a chance to confirm that the wine has not been corked. It is estimated that one in twenty bottles of wine (throughout the price range) are corked, and and it effectively ruins a wine.
What is a corked wine?
A corked wine is not one that has bits of cork floating in it - that is just due to a crumbly cork and won't affect the flavor. Corked wine has been stopped with a mouldy cork, which leaves a musty, dank smell and flavor in the wine. It cannot be predicted, and it is not the fault of the grower - it is simply due to the unreliability of cork, one of the reasons behind the move toward screw caps.
How do you tell if a wine is corked?
This is pretty easy. A fully corked wine will smell pretty awful and taste bad. A mild case of corking will flatten and deaden the fruity qualities of the wine. If you're not sure if a wine is corked, swish it around the glass, as contact with the air oxidises the wine and exagerrates the corking effect. Wine can also be over-oxidised if it has been exposed to air or stored in a warm location. As a result it will smell nutty and look faded and brown.
What should you do if your wine is corked?
When given a wine to test, give it a quick sniff, and a taste if necessary, and if it is bad, don't be afraid to say 'sorry, but I think this wine is corked'. It is not the restaurant's fault, but it is their responsibility, and they should be happy to replace it on confirmation of your suspicions.
So there you go. No more awkward wine testing moments, and you can impress your dining guests with your knowledge of wine. Learn more about wine at How to Wine.
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When Foods Become

When Foods Become

Can our daily diet cure everything from cancer to PMS?

Superfoods give health and wellness consumers everything we need for a shot of essential nutrients in an edible form There's also that hint of the exotic which appeals to a market willing to experiment with fun new foods.

Our appetite for superfoods is never ending. Barely have you managed to track down a good source of the latest superfood when it seems it has been taken over by another. Pomegranates are already yesterday's news (forget about blue-green algae): the latest superfood is the Goji Berry.

If you have not yet heard of goji, you are not alone. While it has occupied an important place in traditional Asian medicine for countless generations, the secrets of its nutritional benefits have remained a mystery to most of the world.

This little red fruit has been described in taste as a cross between a cherry and a cranberry and loaded with nutrients. Goji berries contain up to 21 trace minerals (the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus).

Goji berries are the richest source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene (more beta carotene than carrots), of all known foods or plants on earth! They contain 500 times the amount of vitamin C, by weight, than oranges making them second only to camu camu berries as the richest vitamin C source on earth. Goji berries also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E.

Goji berries contain 18 amino acids, including all 8 essential amino acids!

World famous Dermatologist to the stars, Dr. Howard Murad uses goji berries in several off his products. A viable source of many vitamins, minerals and amino acids, Goji Berries are the perfect ingredient to meet Dr. Murad's high standards. Working triple duty, this amazing fruit contains the three needed components for the "Murad recipe": antiinflammatories, antioxidants, and hydrators. Featured in Dr. Murad's newest innovation, Redness Therapy Goji Berry helps to calm rosacea-like symptoms, sensitivity, irritation, and redness.

Dr. Murad is the first skincare expert to utilize the abundant nutrients of the Goji berry in topical skincare products. His innovative formulas combine the best of science, along with this antioxidantrich fruit and other natural ingredients, to combat redness, soothe skin, and relieve the symptoms that result from environmental damage.

Dr. Murad call the Goji Berry the most nutritionally dense food on the the planet. He also recommends using the Goji Berry to fight cellulite, calling the little red berry his "cellulite assassin".

With all the evidence, ask your doctor which superfoods will work best to combat heart disease, allieviate osteoarthritis, normalise the pH of your stomach and prevent cancer and you'll probably be answered with a raised eyebrow.

A true superfood provides a concentrated, usable form of nourishment to cells which suppport our immune systems, our hormones, our weight and our aging processes".

As for the Goji Berry, Pharmacist and Best Selling Author of "The Vitamin Bible", Dr. Earl Mindell says "Goji has more powerful benefits on health, well-being and anti-aging than any other product I've seen in the last 40 years."

In fact, Dr. Mindell was so convinced of the health benefits of Goji Berries, that he spent nearly 10 years bringing a high quality, nutrient rich, unpasteurized Himalayan Goji Juice to market.

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Why Need Special Diets

Why Need Special Diets

You can need special diets for any number of reasons and these can go from medical to just because you want to. Medically needed special diets requires you to stick very closely to your regime and allows almost no deviation from it. If you're going on a special diet for religious reasons then you'll still need to stick to your diet rigorously but in this case you will be your own supervisor. If you deviate from this diet then it hurts you in a spiritual way with which you will need to come to terms.

For some people this spiritual hurt will bear more weight with them than any physical hurt they might get if they go off their medically required special diets. If you're already on spiritual special diets and you also need to have medical special diets as well, you might run into some turmoil and conflict. If your body dictates one message but your faith another one, then what can you do? Do you go in for the special diets that will heal you spiritually or do you go in for the special diets that will heal you physically?

It's a tough question but one that you've got to answer for yourself. Most times however, a compromise can be reached and you can work out some special diets that will ultimately suit both your physical and spiritual sides.

Then again if you just need medical special diets for whatever it is that ails you, you will have to stick to a strict dietary regime and not deviate from your course. This way only leads to disaster.

If you're pregnant sometimes you might be needing special diets to suit the needs of the moment. These diets rarely last after you've delivered your baby, but you might need to be careful about some foods and curtail your diet in some ways thereafter.

The reason that I needed to go in for a range of special diets was for my weight problem. I was overweight and needed to curtail my eating habits. Nothing would work for me, and all the other diets that I went on never seemed to be quite what they said they were. Sure they worked for some time, but after a short while I would go off the diet and gain back weight. By going for special diets I was able to regain my normal weight with a minimum of fuss.

Special diets can work wonders for you if you try them too. No guarantees, and no signed confessions telling you that special diets are what you need most in your life. But if you have a need for it talking over the possibility of getting special diets for yourself with your nutritionist is the first step.
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