Heavy-metal refers to a metallic chemical element that has a high density and relatively high atomic mass that is toxic or poisonous. Some examples are mercury, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, nickel, selenium and lead. These elements can damage living things at low concentrations and tend to accumulate in the food chain.

In nature the lowest elements on the food chain is plant life. Specific types of animals are herbivores and eat only plants. These animals can have a build up of heavy-metal in their system, deposited in their muscle mass, from absorption from plants. When these animals are slaughtered and used for food the heavy metal in their system is absorbed by the end user, us.

Researchers have discovered that the human body often contains microscopic heavy-metal from environmental toxins and our food sources. Another source of heavy-metal toxification is from the amalgam fillings made for dental appliances. In 1989 the Environmental Protection Agency stated that the use metal fillings were hazardous substances under the Superfund law. When outside of the mouse they must be stored in unbreakable, tightly sealed containers, they are not to be touched and have specific storage requirements. Outside of the mouth they are toxic but when placed in the teeth they are labeled “non-toxic”.  Read more...

Colloidal silver is a liquid suspension of microscopic particles of over. The technical definition of a colloid is a chemical mixture where one substance is dispersed evenly throughout the other where the particles remain suspended without dissolving and the solution. Colloidal silver is an alternative medicine product that contains a variety of concentrations of silver compounds bound to proteins in the water.

Historically, Silver has had medicinal properties going back for centuries. In the early 1900 it was used as an anti-microbial to kill bacteria. A few prescription drugs that contain silver are still available today. Prior to the introduction of antibiotics colloidal silver was used as a disinfectant. It was also used on the surface of burns to control infection.

Today, colloidal silver is marketed for both internal and external uses. Unfortunately there have been unsubstantiated claims that colloidal several for is effective against AIDS, cancer, chronic fatigue, acne, hemorrhoids, prostate problems, parasites, infectious diseases and warts. Others claim that colloidal silver is effective against hundreds of others diseases without substantiation from the medical literature.  Read more...

Chromium is a trace mineral that we require in our bodies in order to function optimally. Interestingly, although researchers recognize the importance of the mineral they aren’t clear on the exact mechanism of action or the amounts that are needed. Chromium occurs in the environment in two different forms – trivalent which is biologically active and hexavalent which is toxic and found in industrial pollution. Hexavalent Chromium has been at the center of very famous court cases where companies have lost millions of dollars in compensation to families who suffer from the side effects (cancers, miscarriages and anemias) related to exposure to the chemical.

Some of the generalized actions in the body are known about trivalent chromium which includes enhancing the action of insulin in the body and significantly impacting carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Doctors do know that there are other actions but have challenges to determining the full range of mechanisms in the body. These challenges include evaluating the chromium content of food, the bioavailability and developing valid measurements which can be used across laboratories and studies so the results can be compared between research studies.  Read more...

Chelation therapy is a treatment used by traditional medicine physicians to treat heavy metal poisoning. The scientific medical name is ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid or EDTA. However, it is also a term used in alternative medicine that is reportedly helpful in treating heart disease, cancer and other conditions.

The term “chelation” comes from the Greek word chele, which means “claw”. This actually refers to the way in which the chemicals in the EDTA grab onto the medals in the body and help the body to excrete them so they are no longer toxic. Chelation therapy is an effective treatment for lead poisoning because the EDTA binds to the lead in the body and flushes it out through the kidneys.

The use of EDTA has been approved by the US food and drug administration as a treatment for lead poisoning. The human body cannot break down heavy metal, all of which lead poisoning is one, and they can build up to toxic levels in the body which interfere with normal functioning of the neurological system as well as other organ systems. It is also used in the treatment of mercury, cadmium and zinc overdoses.  Read more...

Antioxidants are substances, not always vitamins, that protect our bodies’ cells against the effects of free radicals. These free radicals are molecules that are normally produced in the body during metabolism of food or when we are exposed to environmental toxins such as tobacco or radiation. Scientists have recognized the role that free radicals play in the damage of the human cell with the resulting disease, cancer and illnesses.

Free radicals are actually unstable molecules that have an odd, unpaired electron. The bonds of the electrons are weak, creating a free radical which will react quickly with other compounds as it tries to capture another electron to gain stability. In essence, the free radical will attack the nearest stable molecule in an attempt to steal its electron. If successful the molecule which lost an electron now becomes a free radical and begins a chain reaction. Once this entire process has started it can results in the death or disruption of that cell.  Read more...

You would have to be living under a rock to have not heard about vitamins and minerals. However, hearing about them and understanding what they are and how they work are two different things. And, most of us don’t really buy into the use of something unless we really understand how it works and why we need it.

Vitamins are a group of organic substances that are essential to normal metabolism of the body in small quantities. They are key nutrients that the body requires in order to grow and stay strong. The body uses these small molecules in order to carry out certain chemical reactions. And, because the body has no way to create these molecules itself, vitamins must be acquired through food or supplements.

At this time researchers have identified 13 different vitamins which are required by the body and they include:

Vitamin A
vitamin B (which includes six different sub vitamins)
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E.
vitamin K
pantothenic acid
biotin  Read more...

Did you know there are 92 elements found in nature and an additional 22 which are observed elements or scientists believe exists but have not been able to prove.

In addition to all of those there are also hundreds of isotopes of those elements, any one of which can play an important role in human health which has yet to of been discovered.

In these numerous elements are trace minerals which are called this because they are required in such a very small amounts.

And, while scientists and doctors believe they have identified many of the trace minerals required by the body for optimal health, they are required in such minute amounts and there are so many different trace elements that may be necessary, it is highly unlikely that physicians and scientists have identified all of them.  Read more...

Selenium is a trace element or mineral that is essential for good health. However, it is only required in small amounts. The body uses selenium by incorporating it into proteins that are used as anti-oxidant enzymes. These proteins are called selenoproteins and they help to prevent cellular damage from free radicals.

The role of antioxidants in the body is to protect the cells from free radical damage. These free radicals are the natural byproduct of oxygen metabolism that researchers have found contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Think of your cells as an apple that was recently sliced open. If you leave the Apple on the counter for any length of time when you return the flesh of the fruit will have turned brown. This oxidation process is much like the damage that happens to cells by free radicals.

Some of the chronic diseases that have been linked to free radicals include cancer, heart disease and immune mediated illnesses such as lupus. These selenoproteins are also essential in the regulation of the thyroid hormone and play an important role in the function of the immune system.  Read more...

Magnesium is a magnificent mineral. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and essential to good health for each and every one of us. Interestingly, approximately 50% of the magnesium stored in our body can be found in the bone. The other half is found inside of the cells of our body tissue and organs and only 1% is found in the blood. But, although the amount found in the blood is so small, the body works very hard to keep this number constant.

Magnesium is a mineral found in all unprocessed foods. There is a high concentration in unmilled grain, dark leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes. Although there is an abundance in whole foods, because of the standard Western diet and potential malabsorption issues many people can create a situation where they don’t receive enough magnesium to support optimal health.  Read more...

What are functional foods? You hear all about them these days in the news. Food companies are making top dollar off of these foods that are helping people maintain their health.

Functional foods are, in a nutshell, foods that do double or triple duty within your body. Here is an example. An apple is loaded with fiber and other vitamins. Apple juice doesn’t have exactly the same benefits.

If you don’t have time for an apple, will apple juice do? It will if it is a part of the functional food set. Drinking apple juice that has been fortified with calcium, Vitamin A and other antioxidants is like getting a bonus in every eight ounce glass.

People are looking to functional foods to get the nutrients that they otherwise miss during the day. In essence, it is almost impossible to get the recommended daily requirements of many essential nutrients without a little help. No one wants to pop supplement pills all day. So, these special foods are a great alternative.  Read more...

It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, that is true for many reasons. But, still, so many people skip breakfast. Is it helping or hurting our health?

In a word, yes – skipping breakfast is hurting our health. Dieticians have been saying it for years now and some of us still aren’t getting it. Leaving this meal in favor of a cup of coffee is not going to help you stay true to a healthy eating plan during the day.

Think about your body. You have slept all night. If you were awake, would you go six, seven or even eight hours without food? Of course you wouldn’t. When you skip breakfast you are going almost half a day before you have your first meal. Your body is starved for nutrition.

Here are the drawbacks to leaving the house without something to eat:

* Loss of energy. You just woke up so you are already feeling a little low. But, without any fuel to get that engine going again, you won’t regain the energy you need to start the day.  Read more...

Food doesn’t have to taste bland or bad to be good for you. There are a variety of wholesome foods in the world that can add something new to your plate including taste. Here we will discuss one of those foods – the artichoke.

What’s so special about an artichoke you might say? It looks funny and not like it should be eaten. It resembles a flower that just didn’t bloom.

While all of this may be a true perception, the artichoke is actually a very healthy food that is fun to eat. Here is a little history about this “non-flowering” flower. Artichokes are native to the south of Europe. In the United States, we grow them but in Europe they are wild. The stem of this beauty is thick and ends in a large globe that resembles a thistle.  Read more...

As we age, it is important to pay attention to our nutrition. Eating is just as important at this stage as any other in your life. If you are a senior, find out how nutrition may help you live a longer, more satisfied life.

The body is a machine. When given the proper fuel, it will run beautifully. Over time, the components needed to keep the machine in good condition may change. Learning how to keep your body in good running order in the senior years can change your life.

Seniors often have problems with eating habits. Whether from emotional or physical causes, the quality and frequency of eating may decline. Emotionally, you may feel isolated especially if you have to leave your home. Friends and family move away to live their lives and you are left behind. Illness can keep you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, resulting in depression.  Read more...

Nutritional supplementation with multivitamin pills is the question that arises for most individuals throughout their life. Recommendations from the food and drug administration include eating eight to 10 servings of raw fruits and vegetables daily in order to help the body receive enough vitamins and minerals to function appropriately. Unfortunately, many individuals find that eating this many raw fruits and vegetables every day is a challenge. And because of this challenge they turned to multivitamins and nutritional supplements to make up the difference.

Unfortunately, researchers and physicians as well as nutritionist know that you cannot skip the daily servings of fruits and vegetables and expect that of vitamin and mineral supplement will make up the difference. The micronutrients that are available in raw fruits and vegetables have a greater bioavailability than anything that can be manufactured in the lab. This means that those enzymes, vitamins and minerals are much more unavailable to the cells within the body when they are obtained from fruits and vegetables, raw seeds and nuts as opposed to a pill which was manufactured and delivered in a bottle.  Read more...

People interested in weight loss or muscle gain often turn to protein powders and protein supplements. It might seem that these two goals are diametrically opposed from each other after all, the first group wants to lose weight and the second group wants to gain weight-albeit muscle weight.

Supplement manufacturers are now taking advantage of both groups of individuals and aiming their marketing in order to garner the best possible financial benefits.

One of the biggest mistakes that all of us makes it is not paying specific attention to the nutritional needs of our bodies. Bodybuilders are no different in that they don’t pay enough attention to the nutrition required in order to build muscle mass with the same desire and determination that they pay attention to their weight training program. If neglected results will only be a fraction of what they could be.  Read more...

In the quest to prevent premature aging, and sometimes just aging, most individuals look towards a variety of options in order to achieve their goal. One of the most important factor is in preventing aging effects on the body is a well rounded and nutritional diet which limits calorie consumption in saturated fat and includes whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also 10 different foods which have been found to significantly impact cellular structure, development and break down which ultimately affects aging.

The first of these is the avocado which is a healthy source of mono saturated fat that can reduce the level of LDL (bad cholesterol). It is also a great source of vitamin E and is rich in potassium. Berries contain phytochemicals known as flavonoids. These are powerful antioxidants that help to protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. The most potent of these are blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.  Read more...

Lecithin is a compound which is the yellow-brown in color and fatty inconsistency. It occurs in animal and plant tissue and thank you but is sometimes used as is Eminem for a phospholipid that is the major component, phosphatide. It can be isolated from egg yolk or from soybeans from which it is extracted chemically were mechanically. It does not dissolve in water easily and is sold as a food supplement and for medical purposes.

Lecithin is found in living cells is a major component of the cell membrane regulates what enters and exits that cell. Scientists define lecithin as synonymous with phosphatidylcholine, a principle phospholipid found in the compound.

Normally we are able to consume Lecithin in the diet through soy, grains, fish, yeast, peanuts and egg yolk. It is also sold as a supplement in powder, capsule or granular form. But, this dietary supplement usually contains less than 35% of the primary phospholipid, phosphatidlycholine. Most of the manufactured supplement is derived from soybeans.  Read more...

Tyrosine is one of 20 different amino acids which are used by cells in the human body to synthesize proteins, building blocks of muscles and other organs. It is a nonessential amino acid, which means that it is manufactured in the body from other essential amino acids. Essentially amino acids are those molecules which must be received from nutrients in digested and cannot be made from within the body.

Tyrosine is also a precursor of several neurotransmitters, including dopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Through the effect on neurotransmitters researchers believe that tyrosine effect several health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, depression and other mood disorders which rely on dopamine and l-dopa. Preliminary findings from several studies have indicated that individuals experience a beneficial effect of taking supplemental tyrosine all, along with other amino acids, in the treatment of depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It is also believed that tyrosine may help ease the adverse effects of chronic environmental, psychosocial and physical stress on the body.  Read more...

Levodopa, or l-dopa, is a natural occurring dietary supplement and cycle active drugs found in certain kinds of foods and herbs. This substance is synthesized from essential amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine in the brain. Researchers have identified the biological role that it plays and have developed ways of manufacturing the substance in order to treat Parkinson’s disease and other dopamine responsive dystonia.

The symptoms which l-dopa is used to control include trembling, rigidity and slow movements. Bees are the hallmarks signs and symptoms of individuals who suffer from. Interestingly, dopamine itself is ineffective since the chemical does not answer the brain from the blood. In fact the metabolic precursor, l-dopa, doesn’t are the brain via the bloodstream and is why levodopa is considered the gold standard for treatment in individuals who have dystonia.  Read more...

L-arginine or arginine is an amino acid, one of the 20 most common natural amino acids required by humans to function optimally. Some qualified arginine as a nonessential amino acid while others believe it is a semi-essential amino acid. The differentiation revolves around whether or not the body can reduce the amino acid on its own in enough quantity to meet the needs of the body.

For instance, all essential amino acids are those which must be ingested through food or supplementation in order to meet the needs of the body while nonessential amino acids are actually produced with in the body from essential amino acids. A semi-essential amino acid such as arginine is primarily made in the body although supplementation is sometimes needed. For instance, people who suffer from protein malnutrition, excess ammonia production or excessive lysine intake or who may have burns, infections, rapid growth or sepsis will not have enough arginine to meet the body functions.

Individuals who are suffering from a deficiency in arginine will have poor wound healing, hair loss, skin rashes, constipation and may have a fatty liver.  Read more...