This article has been contributed by Sheila Zhou, Scientist at USANA.
Last year the number of flu cases in Australia was up by over 50 per cent, causing many to claim this winter will be our worst flu season ever. However ‘cold and flu season’ is actually a myth, as the virus lives through every season, whether it may be summer, autumn, winter, or spring. According to Sheila Zhou, expert Scientist at USANA, and leading producer of high quality supplements, “Without knowing or realising it, every day our immune system is fighting a battle against colds and flus. Colds are considered a mild illness in comparison to flus because their symptoms are easier to decipher and battle. A cold will give you a runny nose, sore throat or watery eyes, while the flu won’t let you get out of bed, makes you ache from top to toe and gives you a severe headache.” Whether you catch a cold or the flu it is important to know what we need to do to keep our bodies away from sickness. To understand how to help keep our immune system strong and healthy, Ms. Zhou explains her expert tips through the acronym “ARMOUR”: A - Always exercise regularly. This is crucial as physical activities may help release bacteria out of your lungs and airways, reducing your chances of getting a cold or flu. R- Remember to take an immune boosting supplement. Reishi and Shiitake mushrooms are known to enhance immunity and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen vitality. Reishi and shiitake Supplement helps keep your immune system strong and healthy, and assists with immune cells to work more efficiently even under stress! M- Must get enough sleep every day. Lack of sleep can cause an impaired immune system. Sleep is one of the key factors that help keeping immune cells healthy that our body needs to fight sickness. O- Over analysing everything will only lead to stress, so do your best to avoid it. Stress weakens the immune system and can lead to chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. U- Understand the importance of getting regular medical check-ups. Visiting the doctor regularly for an annual check-up will keep you updated on the health status of your body. Medical check-ups will show what your body is lacking and help you make an informed decision to address any potential health concern. R- Remember to eat a healthy diet filled with fruits, veggies and whole grains. Eating the right food with a balance of all essential vitamins and minerals will help keep our immune system strong and healthy. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Use only as directed. Always read the label. To view the full range of USANA Health Sciences nutritional, weight management and personal care products visit www.usana.com. USANA Health Sciences was founded in 1992 in the United States by microbiologist and immunologist, Dr Myron Wentz. The products are backed by an accredited team of scientific experts and USANA has been awarded a 5-star rating for its nutritional products – the highest of any available in Australia in the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (4th Ed) by Lyle McWilliam, an independent Canadian biochemist.
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This post has been contributed by Laura. Maintaining a healthy body and mind is a vital part of life for just about anyone. What’s more, there are many different aspects to it. So many, in fact, that it can be difficult getting the balance right. Trying to keep your body in peak condition can be a real challenge. Nonetheless, it is a challenge which we all need to take. Staying in shape is a matter of getting various elements right, and in the right kind of balance. For many people, this is the learning curve of an entire lifetime. But that is fine - the main thing is that you do everything in your power to achieve it. One of the main elements to getting this right is ensuring that you get the proper intake of nutrients and minerals. For many people, this is beyond their everyday knowledge. However, learning some basics about these and what they can do for you is a fine idea indeed. With that information, you can work on trying to incorporate the right things into your diet. And with that will come a much healthier, happier way of being. Let’s look into this in a little more detail now. Eating Right We all know the importance of having a balanced diet. But how many of us know what that balance should look like. In fact, it goes far beyond the main food groups. That is one important level, but it is only one level. To achieve the right balance, we also need to look at the nutrients in the food we are eating. But what nutrients are necessary, and how can we ensure that we incorporate them properly? Potassium is a main nutrient which is both essential and - in today’s world - in short supply. Most people’s diets do not contain anywhere near enough potassium. This is unfortunate, as it is a useful and vital substance which helps to boost the immune system. Potassium is what keeps our heart beating, no less. It is literally something we cannot live without. If you increase your potassium consumption, your blood pressure will lower dramatically. This in turn will mean that you are much less likely to develop osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease. Your muscles’ functioning also relies heavily upon your body having the correct amount of potassium. So how do we get this vital nutrient into our bodies? Fortunately, there are some basic, everyday ingredients which contain plenty of the good stuff. Potatoes, bananas and spinach are all good sources of potassium. The next most essential has to be fiber. This regulates the digestive system throughout its entire process - so it really is vital. Most diets are lacking in fiber these days, but getting it back in is simple. Sweet potato, or pretty much any root vegetable, will provide you with a good amount of fiber. Though it may sound disgusting, checking your excrement is the best way to ensure you are getting the right amount of fiber. Supplementing While not always necessary, supplements can help a great deal. This is particularly so if you are in the early days of regaining control over your health. There is a supplement for just about every nutrient and mineral available. One key point is to be careful when you are choosing your supplement. You want to ensure that you are getting what you need in the right amount, and with the right balance. Do your research. There are many differences between curcumin and turmeric, for example, though both might be helpful. Look into what those differences are before you make any decisions. Done right, supplementing can give your immune system a real boost. Just be sure not to replace any real foodstuffs with an overabundance of supplements. As with anything, balance is the key. Reducing Unnecessary Intake It’s not just about what you do take in, however. If you want to get the right nutrients in your system, you need to think about what to avoid, as well. There are certain common bad habits which you would probably do well to avoid, or curtail. A couple of the big offenders are caffeine and sugar. These two are a common sight, with sugar being particularly prevalent in modern diets. But the truth is, they give you very little in return for their consumption. It might be worth considering cutting them out altogether. Or at the very least, think about cutting down. Caffeine interferes with your hormonal production, and as such it is best avoided. Similarly, sugar is empty calorific content. Nutritionally speaking, sugar is pointless! Even if you can’t cut it out entirely, make sure to take steps towards reducing your sugar intake. You are bound to feel the difference in no time. This post has been contributed by Peter Minkoff. There are thousands of people in Australia that consume at least one or more dietary supplements every day. It all starts with an occasional usage, which over time turns into an everyday necessity for supplements. These food supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, herbals, botanicals and other products. They also come in many different shapes and forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, drinks and energy bars. Similar to many other types of food we consume every day, food supplements also have a positive and a negative effect on a human body. Let us familiarize with the subject from the basics. Know the label Before you start using food supplements, you should get to know what they represent, and what their primary usage is. All products which are labeled as dietary supplements carry a Supplement Facts panel, which lists its content and the amount of active ingredients per active serving, as well as any additional ingredients. Every manufacturer suggests the serving size; however you or your doctor might go for a different amount if it is more appropriate for you. Either way, get to know the products which you are thinking of using before you actually start using them. The effectiveness of food supplements Depending on your nutrition schedule and nutritional variety, your body will or will not get enough of the required vitamins and minerals. In case it does not, there are some supplements which can help you get adequate amounts of needed nutrients. But, supplements cannot completely replace the essential nutrients your body needs, which is why you should well organize and balance your diet. Some supplements are beneficial for overall health and for managing certain health conditions; calcium and vitamin D are very important for keeping your bones strong and reducing your bone loss, while folic acid will decrease the risk of birth defects. Also, omega-3 oils will help cure certain heart diseases, and their full effect is still being tested out. But, there are those that could have a potentially negative effect on a human body or interact with other medications. Listed below are some of them: -Vitamin K: Even though it is very helpful, vitamin K will prevent your blood from clothing and cause wounds to open and bleed severely. It is not recommended to take it in case of a serious injury or after surgery. -Vitamins C and E: These antioxidants are something every human body needs; however, they are known to reduce the effects of certain types of chemotherapy. Make sure to avoid taking them if under chemo. Most people think that by simply consuming supplements, they will replace all essential nutrients found in their diets. This is the most common mistake happening everywhere. Vitamins are not food, and should never be taken in exchange for it. Supplements are catalysts in the body, and in order to do their job, your body needs food. Add vegetables and fresh fruits to your diet to reduce the need for supplements. However, if you are being too busy working and your workout time is limited, make sure to use fitness supplements in order to fill up the gaps created by missing ingredients. Dose yourself accordingly, and know that taking more than enough will not contribute towards your health. Remember that vitamins cannot replace your diet, and that for them to have their effect, your body will require food.
Bottom line is that food supplements have great effect on a human body, only if combined with proper diet and different types of nutrition. In most cases, these will not have any negative effects; however there are a few situations where food supplements can have a side-effect on your body. Always consult with your doctor, especially if you have a health condition and learn more about these supplements before you start using them. |
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