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Archive for September, 2007

Vitamin B complex actually refers to a selection of nutrients with some very similar properties, but they are separate nutrients, although most of them work in synergy. B-Complex vitamins are a mixture of eight essential B-vitamins that our bodies require on a daily basis. It was previously thought that Vitamin B was a single nutrient, but later studies proved that it was actually eight different nutrients that made up this “single” vitamin. Vitamin b complex is available in pills, powders, liquids and injectables. The vitamin B-complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12). “Vitamin B” was once thought to be a single nutrient that existed in extracts of rice, liver, or yeast. The B-complex vitamins work independently of each other, although several do play roles in the same functions. However, no one health function requires the properties of every B vitamin.

Vitamin B comes from a number of natural sources, including potatoes, bananas, lentils, chilli peppers, tempeh, liver oil, liver, turkey, and tuna. Nutritional yeast (or brewer’s yeast) and molasses are especially good sources of Vitamin B. Vitamin B5 helps reduce stress and manage stress hormones. Various B-complex vitamins assist in cellular energy production, by forming adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells’ energy source. B vitamins are easily flushed out of the body, and people on weight-loss diets, alcoholics or those who take antibiotics or seizure drugs are even more inclined to have vitamin B deficiency. B3 – Niacin is an effective aid for lowering cholesterol, as well as to promote healthy skin. B6 – Pyridoxine is needed for almost every function in the body, working as a coenzyme for numerous enzymes. Folic acid – Essential during pregnancy to protect against birth defects; stabilizes homocysteine levels.

Vitamin B complex supplement are highly popular and for good reason – many people who are feeling tired, lacking in energy feel the benefit of this type of supplement. Most multivitamin-mineral products contain the B-complex along with the rest of the essential vitamins and minerals. B1, known as thiamine. Vitamin B-complex includes several different components, each of which has the potential to interact with drugs. The B vitamins work together to boost metabolism, enhance the immune system and nervous system, keep the skin and muscles healthy, encourage cell growth and division, and other benefits to your body. The B vitamins work together to boost metabolism, enhance the immune system and nervous system, keep the skin and muscles healthy, encourage cell growth and division, and other benefits to your body.

About the author: Read out nutritional supplements. Also check out for vitamins supplements and aloe vera gel
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

With adequate, accurate information and changes in your lifestyle, you can take control of your cholesterol, lower it and then maintain it at a healthy level.

Here is your step by step plan to enable you to lower your cholesterol within a few weeks – without medication.

• get your physician to test your personal cholesterol levels – it is simply done with a blood test;

• when you get the results, discuss them in detail with your physician. There are two important readings – HDL and LDL levels. The LDL level is the one that can become high and threaten your wellbeing. Also important is the ratio between the two readings – a slightly higher LDL level may be compensated for by a very low HDL.

• if your HDL and/or LDL level readings need to be improved, ask your physician for advice. If the situation has become serious, it may be necessary to commence some medication to quickly stabilize the HDL and LDL levels. If however, the levels are just a little out of kilter, or even if you are told they are within the normal range for your age group, it should be possible for you to take control and, with some changes in your lifestyle – in the areas of food and activity – reduce your cholesterol to more satisfactory levels and to maintain them at those levels. This contributes significantly to your ongoing wellbeing and to your future prospects of maintaining good health as you get older.

• what do I have to change about my eating habits to achieve this? You do not have to go on a strict diet. Merely ensuring that certain types of food are not, or at least not very often, included in your meals and making sure that other types of food that you may not at present eat much of, make up a larger part of your meals.

You should try to eat:

a. as much of different kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables as possible;

b. lean cuts of meat and poultry [make sure the poultry is skinless];

c. lean fish and shellfish;

d. use low-fat dairy products – fortunately there is an abundance of them available now – it was not always so;

e. reduce the amount of salt and fat you use in your cooking;

f. use herbs and spices to add flavor to your food;

g. grill, steam, poach, broil or bake your food – avoid frying it;

h. in other words, reduce the amount of fat you eat. Check the labels on the food you buy – it is not only the total amount of fat in the food that is of concern, but also the amount of saturated and trans-fats. These are the deadly, and I use that word advisedly, the deadly components of your fat intake;

i. prepare your own meals, AND serve smaller portions of them. It is better, not only for this plan, but for your general health, to have smaller meals, and to have more of them during the day if you still feel the need for more food;

j. stay away from the fast-foods – no pickups or deliveries!

• what else do I have to do?

a. increase your activity level – it may have been almost non-existent or you may already be reasonably active. Increasing the level will have a major impact on your health. You do not have to over-exert yourself to gain the healthy benefits of exercise – just be consistent with what you do. Try to get regular exercise, every day if possible;

b. not only will increased levels of activity help any cholesterol problems you may have, but it will also allow you to get to achieve, and to maintain, a healthy body weight;

c. if you are a smoker – STOP – enough said;

d. if your physician has prescribed medication to stabilize your cholesterol levels, follow precisely the advice and treatment you were given;

e. keep a journal of what you do – the changes you make to your lifestyle and the results you achieve. If you begin to struggle to stay on target, read back over what you have done – use the account of what you have done, and where you have come from and be proud of it. This will help to motivate you to stay on track.

Finally, learn as much as you can about cholesterol, about your health in general, and about how maintaining a healthy lifestyle not only brings you great benefits now – but will continue to do so into the future – into that longer lifetime you will surely enjoy as a result of your efforts now to take charge of your health – and of your life.

About the author: John Vanse has a network of health related websites, including these: www.thebetterhealthguide.com www.cholesterolsolution.info
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Bronchitis include a cough that produces mucus (sometimes called sputum), trouble breathing and a feeling of tightness in your chest. Acute bronchitis is most often caused by one of a number of viruses that can infect the respiratory tract and attack the bronchial tubes. Even one puff on a cigarette is enough to cause temporary paralysis of the tiny hair like structures in your lungs, called cilia , that are responsible for brushing out debris, irritants, and excess mucus. Chronic bronchitis is defined by the presence of a mucus-producing cough most days of the month, three months of a year for two successive years without other underlying disease to explain the cough. People who have chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to bacterial infections of the airway and lungs, like pneumonia. Pneumonia is more common among smokers and people who are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Causes of Bronchitis

The common Causes of Bronchitis :

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking.

Heredity.

Weather changes.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection but can also be caused by a bacterial infection.

Use of drugs.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Some Symptoms of Bronchitis :

Vibration in chest when breathing

Fatigue and/or malaise

Headache

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

Mild fever

Coldness

Chills

Mild chest pains

Treatment of Bronchitis

Medicines called bronchodilators that are usually prescribed to treat asthma will help to open the bronchial tubes and clear out mucus.

The best treatment is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use an over-the-counter medicine to treat the pain and fever.

People with chronic bronchitis should stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.

Medicines called mucolytics which thin or loosen mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up can also be used to treat chronic bronchitis.

In some cases, the doctor will recommend using a medicine called a bronchodilator that makes breathing easier.

Persistent symptoms and more severe disease are treated with anti-inflammatory medicines called steroids (of the glucocorticoid type) which are given with an inhaler.

Breathing moist air from a humidifier, hot shower, or sink filled with hot water. The heat and moisture can help keep mucus in your airways moist so it can be coughed out easily.

Author: Juliet Cohen writes health articles for health diseases and disorders. She also writes articles on women beauty tips.

Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com