Six Vitamins Worth Taking

Eating a colorful, well-balanced diet is important for your health. However, in today's busy environment, it can be difficult to make healthy diet choices. Vitamin and mineral supplementation helps ensure the body is receiving the proper nutrients. Six popular vitamin supplements include calcium, iron, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D and zinc. Each of these vitamins and minerals protect the body from disease and medical complications.

Calcium

Calcium is the building block for your bones and teeth.  Numerous functions require ample amounts of calcium, including blood clotting systems, nerve impulses and cardiovascular functions. If you have a calcium deficiency, you may suffer from weak or softening bones. Additionally, calcium is used as an antacid to help with indigestion, to help lower phosphate levels in the body due to kidney failure and to help lower potassium levels in the body.

Researchers have also discovered a link between low calcium levels and premenstrual syndrome. Calcium can help reduce bloating, pain and mood swings in women. Although taking a calcium supplement doesn't prevent PMS, it can help reduce symptoms and alleviate symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Iron

Iron is a mineral found in the red blood cells. This mineral helps the body transport oxygen to cells and expels carbon dioxide from the body. Those with low levels of iron in the body, also known as iron deficiency, often suffer with anemia. Anemia occurs when the red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells within the body.

Researchers believe that iron deficiency can affect learning in children because enough oxygen is not delivered to the brain to form proper neurological pathways. Taking iron supplements may help improve learning, memory and thinking in children suffering with anemia.

Magnesium

Magnesium is used in more than 300 enzymatic reactions within the body. When a deficiency occurs, a plethora of medical conditions can occur. These include gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular issues and skin conditions. Magnesium is often used for its laxative qualities to treat gastrointestinal disturbances. Magnesium can help decrease LDL cholesterol levels while it increases HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, magnesium can help irregular heartbeats and mitral valve prolapses.

Patients suffering from a magnesium deficiency may experience ADHD, chronic fatigue and leg cramps. Supplementing the diet with magnesium can help relieve migraines, urinary incontinences, multiple sclerosis and hearing loss. Finally, topically applying magnesium to the skin can speed up healing to ulcers, boils and wounds.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are found in a variety of food products, including fish, nuts and seeds. These fatty acids deliver amazing health benefits. They help triglyceride levels in the body, which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids help relieve joint stiffness and pain and may help improve the effectiveness of certain anti-inflammatory drugs. Omega 3 fatty acid's ability to lower inflammation may also help improve lung functions and decrease the number of asthmatic episodes.

Omega 3 fatty acids can also help improve cognitive thinking by supplying the brain with the nutrients it needs. Additionally, researchers have discovered that omega 3s can help battle depression and may help protect against dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency continues to grow as more and more people work indoors during daylight hours. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, is needed for a host of physiological functions, including cardiovascular functions and osteogenesis (the production of bone cells). It helps regulate cholesterol levels in the body as well as blood pressure. Vitamin D is also responsible for the regulation of certain minerals in the body, including phosphorous and calcium.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to several chronic medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis and IBS. Thankfully, research has shown that taking vitamin D supplement can help prevent and correct these medical conditions.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace element that helps speed up healing of numerous infections in the body. A deficiency in zinc in children can result in stunted growth, slow healing and acute diarrhea. This immune boosting element can help shorten the duration of common cold and may help prevent respiratory and ear infections. Zinc can also help improve night vision and decrease the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

There is a plethora of vitamin and mineral supplements on the market, learning which ones are worth taking can be difficult. Choose from a variety of high quality cheap vitamins online . Make sure to take six popular vitamins and minerals to help protect your health and increase vitality.

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are biological molecules responsible for the breakdown of food in the body. These enzymes break food particles into individual nutrients that the body can use. The body does not absorb actual food; instead, it absorbs the nutrients found in food. The nutritional components in food are then absorbed by the body.

Digestive enzymes turn food into a variety of substances the body can use. Proteins turn into amino acids, carbohydrates turn into simple sugars and fats turn into fatty acids. Additionally, plant and animal compounds are broken down into usable vitamins and minerals. 

The digestive system is comprised of the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, small intestine and large intestine. Each of these systems work in one accord to help digest the food you consume. When the digestive system is not functioning properly, the enzymes your body needs to absorb food can diminish.

How Digestive Enzymes Can Help

Dietary interventions are often necessary to restore digestive functions. Eating a diet filled with raw fruits and vegetables will help correct deficiencies. Cooked and processed foods virtually destroy all enzymes in your food. For this reason, most foods you eat are deficient in enzymes. To help improve digestive functions, eat a variety of raw fruits and vegetables.

Digestive enzymes are another way to help restore your digestive system. Supplemental enzymes ensure that the foods you eat are properly digested, reduce inflammation and improve the immune system. 

When your digestive system is not functioning properly, you may experience gas, bloating and constipation. These symptoms are often caused from improperly digesting food items. Digestive enzymes can help alleviate the symptoms of ingesting certain food items, such as dairy products, beans and meats.

The Types of Enzymes

There are three main types of digestive enzymes. Each kind of enzyme helps digest certain foods. The three types are protease, lipase and amylase. Protease helps to digest proteins. Lipase helps digest fats. Finally, amylase helps to digest sugars, starches and other carbohydrates. 

How to Choose a Digestive Enzyme Formula

The market is filled with digestive enzymes, so determining the best enzyme for you can seem difficult. The following criteria will help you determine the best brand of digestive enzyme for you.

Quality

The first thing to consider when shopping for digestive enzymes is the quality of the product. The most potent formulas are manufactured following strict guidelines. The best quality products are free of coatings, fillers, artificial colors and excipients. Therefore, it is essential that you read the list of the ingredients.

Reputation

A company's reputation is only as good as its products. Digestive enzyme formulas, such as those manufactured by Pure Encapsulations , provide your body with the enzymes your body needs to properly break down food into usable nutrients. 

Potency

When choosing a digestive enzyme, choose one that offers maximum potency. Many second-rate products contain ingredients that can reduce the bioavailability of its ingredients. Seek out a product that is free from potential allergens, such as wheat, nuts and gluten.

Numerous medical issues can prevent the production of digestive enzymes. Pancreatic issues, inflammation, aging and stress can all cause a digestive enzyme deficiency. When the body is unable to produce enough digestive enzymes, digestive distress can occur. Issues including poor digestion, bloating, lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance are the side effects of digestive distress.