Must read: Dangers of Vitamin Supplements

Read another article about dangers of vitamin supplements. I used to take a lot of vitamin supplements given by my mum when I was still a student. When I started working, I started to buy OTC supplements like redoxan Vitamin C, fybogel, trying to solve my frequent flu, constipation etc. No one ever taught me to get wholesome plant food health pdts instead of synthetically made ones or chemically extracted ones. I never learn to read labels while choosing these pdts also. Hence, problems have not seen to improve. Worst still, I even recommended to my friends those PDTs also with the heart of helping them but never know the possible risks that these synthetic pdts carry.

Now after knowing about Nutritional immunology, I started to learn all these knowledge, health condition improved when my wisdom increases. Hope that my mistakes will not be repeated among ppl surrounding me.

Read more related topic:

http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/safety-concerns-on-synthetic-vitamin.html

Today read another article about vitamin E and beta carotene supplements: 

Vitamin E, Beta-carotene no help for heart disease, cancer 

WASHINGTON (AFP) - In yet another blow to the US$28 billion (S$35 billion) vitamin industry, a US task force on Monday urged against taking Vitamin E and beta-carotene to ward off heart disease or cancer.

The latest guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force update the 2003 edition by adding Vitamin E and beta-carotene, a supplement that was already known to be ineffective at preventing the two most fatal diseases in America.

The findings are based on a systematic review of scientific studies which found that Vitamin E does not help - and that beta-carotene supplements could actually do more harm than good.

"Beta-carotene can be harmful because it increases the risk of lung cancer in people who are already at increased risk for the disease," said Task Force co-chair Michael LeFevre.

Reference source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/world/story/vitamin-e-beta-carotene-no-help-heart-disease-cancer-20140225

Today I choose to take organic wholesome plant food products especially Oxyginberry beverage for maintaining my health. And I m glad that it has benefited me, my family, and my friends around me to gain back our health. =)

Find out my own testimonials:

http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/nourishment-during-my-pregnancy-journey.html

http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/testimonial-from-myself.html

http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/oxyginberry-beverage-miraculous-drink.html

Warmest regards, 

Joselyne

90909942

The Goals of Nutritional Immunology

Nutritional Immunology focuses not only on prolonging life but improving the quality of life. It aims to help people make better-informed choices about nutrition and their lifestyle. Many people fall ill because they lack knowledge about nutrition. Many more don't know that nature provides all the nourishment we need for a healthy immune system. All  we need to do is to make the simple decision to eat healthier to improve and prolong our lives.

According to Nutritional Immunology, what we eat directly affects how our immune system works. Good nutrition gives us an amazing disease-fighting capability while poor nutrition makes us fall ill easily and take a longer time to recover. Nutritional Immunology emphasizes prevention over cure and longevity over more good health.

Unlike the days when poverty and starvation were rampant, many of us have access to sufficient sources of basic nutrition like protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Nutritional Immunology goes a step beyond these basic survival nutrients to research disease-fighting nutrients like antioxidants, phytochemicals and polysaccharides.

Experts on Nutritional Immunology study plant foods, which contain the most abundance of antioxidants, phytochemicals and polysaccharides. They also study the proper quantity of such plants that is need for excellent health. For example, studies show that we need a minimum of 15 different plant foods daily to obtain an optimum amount of phytochemicals.

Experts also emphasize consuming natural nutrients sources from whole plant foods and not chemically created ones. By encouraging us to consume more plant foods, Nutritional Immunology tackles the prevention of modern day chronic and degenerative illnesses by enhancing the health of the immune system.  When we succumb to chronic illnesses, we age faster. By preventing these illnesses, Nutritional Immunology helps us to strive for longevity.

Apart from researching types of immune-enhancing plant foods, Nutritional Immunology also focuses on the age, specie, part, cultivation, harvesting methods and processing techniques of these plant foods in order to derive maximum benefits.

Selecting species/ herbs:
For example, over 80 specie of ginger are available, but all contain different combinations of nutrients.

Some plants, like ginseng and ginseng berry, contain different nutrients in the root as compared to the fruits.

Orange and lemons have been traditional sources of the antioxidant, Vitamin C. But rose hips, the small fruits of roses, contain up to 50 times the amount of Vitamin C found in lemons.

Proanthocyanidin (OPC) found mainly in grape seeds, has 20 times more potent than Vitamin C and up to 50 times more potent than another antioxidant, Vitamin E.

Similarly, soy is perhaps one of the best sources of phytochemicals known to mankind. Isoflavones, a soy phytochemical is used to relieve menopause symptoms in women in place of risker chemical alternatives like hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Mushromms are also being recognized for their astounding nutritional capabilities. Polysaccharides from Agaricus Blazel Murill (ABM), Shitake, Maitake, Ganoderman and Coriolus Versicolor mushrooms are particularly flavored for their ability to inhibit tumors and even enhance treatment procedures for existing cancer sufferers. However, Amanita mushrooms can kill when eaten.

Within the same Opuntia cactus family, there are some whose fruits are edible and others like Opuntia Compressa, whose fruits cannot be eaten.

Some plants are natural BUT are NOT safe. For example:

• Ephedra (Ma Huang) - its active ingredient ephedrine, a popular ingredient in slimming pills can cause heart attacks, blood toxicity and bleeding strokes. The FDA has also collected over 150 ephedra-linked death reports.

• Guar Gum - a weight-loss ingredient was banned in the 1990s. Guar gum is a complex sugar that swells when wet, creating a feeling of fullness when eaten. However, its side effects include frightening instances of stomach,  throat and intestinal blockage.

• White Willow Bark - contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. The FDA says that this herb is sometimes used in child medications that are labeled aspirin-free. It can induce internal bleeding in aspirin-sensitive adults. The National Council Against Health Fraud cautions that using it for childhood chicken pox or influenza can lead to Reye's syndrome, a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain.

• Guarana Seeds, Cola nut, Camellia leaf - high-caffeine herbs are popular weight-loss agents because caffeine reportedly boosts metabolism. Depending on the species, guarana yields up to 10% caffeine by weight. Camellia leaf carries about 3.5% and the average caffeine content of raw coffee is about 2.2% by weight. Experts concur that too much caffeine can cause anxiety. insomnia, irregular heartbeat, addictiveness and even death in those with high blood pressure. Some of these herbs are used in combination with diuretic herbs in slimming supplements to make the body lose large amount of water, leading to temporary weight loss. Overuse of diuretics also increases the risk of kidney damage.  

Harvesting Time:
Ginseng and cactus need to be grown for many years before harvesting while mushrooms are more nutritious when harvested early.

Processing for Quality and Quantity:
Certain phytochemicals may be found in the whole plant but not in its extract or juice. Similarly some plants can be heated to extract nutrients while others cannot. For example, soy needs heat during processing while heat may destroy nutrients in more fragile plants. Overheating cactus for instance, discolor the surface and reduces nutrient content. Heat can also degrade a food's fiber content.

While manufactures should be careful to thoroughly clean harvested plants, force should be avoided. Ginseng roots for instance should not be scrubbed vigorously as this removes valuable nutrients. Rapid drying after cleaning will also discolor fragile ginseng berries as each berry yields only a few drops of essence.

Cactus are among the most difficult plant foods to process. Their thorny exterior forms an imposing barrier to the highly nutritious getl within. A detailed regiment of extraction and filtration is need to remove the various tiny particles. thorns and impurities before the gel is fit for use.

Another plant food that must be carefully processed is bee pollen. Bee pollen consists of an edible and water-soluble interior and a hard, inedible exterior or shell. Commercial bee pollen sometimes contains the shell - endangering the digestive system and making it difficult for the body to absorb the nutrients.

The Knowledge Factor

There is a difference between good herbal products and excellent ones. It is not difficult to produce herbal products that have a good amount of nutrients. But it is extremely challenging to select the best herbs and plant foods and deliver them to consumers in the purest, freshest and most nutritious form.

It is knowledge that separates the two. Nature requires our respect and understanding. Only by being careful and aware can we expect to obtain the optimal power of an herb or plant food.

Thanks to Nutritional Immunology, we now can have that knowledge. And become it is a constantly developing science, we can rest assured that research is going to reveal even more astounding, disease-fighting properties in plant foods. Thus far at least, Nutritional Immunology is already giving us the most precious knowledge at all - how to prolong the length and quality of our lives through Nature's healthiest herbs!

If you wish to find out more about Nutritional Immunology, kindly contact me via message/ email.

Thank you. 

Warmest Regards, 
Joselyne 
Nutritional Immunology Consultant
+65-90909942

Iron - an important element for our body

In this post, let me share on importance of iron and how shall we be a wiser consumer in choosing the right source of iron.

Iron is an important element that will maintain the optimal operation of our body systems.

Medical studies have shown that infants, children, youngsters and women in particular expecting mothers, are the higher risk groups for iron deficiency. Meanwhile, others must also not overlook the importance of these two elements to their health.

Recommended daily allowances for iron:

Age 1-3:               7 mg per day (Male)      7 mg per day (Female)
Age 4-8:              10 mg per day (Male)    10 mg per day (Female)
Age 9-13:              8 mg per day (Male)    15 mg per day (Female)
Age 14-18:          11 mg per day (Male)    15 mg per day (Female)
Age 19-50:            8 mg per day (Male)    18 mg per day (Female)
51 and above:       8 mg per day (Male)    18 mg per day (Female)
During pregnancy:              -                      27 mg per day (Female) 

Iron is responsible for the formation of red blood cells, and is an important constituent of hemoglobin and muscle pigment. Iron is the a major component of hemoglobin responsible for the transportation of oxygen molecules to all parts of the body. If the iron content in our body is too low, our red blood cell count and hemoglobin level will drop, resulting in reduced energy supply for us to carry out daily activities, causing us to feel lethargic and other signs of anemia.

There are 2 major source of iron in our food: Heme and nonheme. Heme iron is present in meat (especially liver), fish and poultry. Nonheme iron is present in legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables.

Why are plants better sources of iron?
The body handles these 2 types of iron differently. Heme iron is rapidly absorbed by the body and continues to be absorbed and stored whether the body needs it or not. This may easily lead to an iron overdose. Nonheme iron, on the other hand, is absorbed more slowly, taking only what it needs to maintain healthy levels.

Iron Supplements?
Thinking of getting a quick iron fix with iron tablets? Think again. Possible side effects of iron supplementation include constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark colored stools and or abdominal distress. Too much iron in blood puts you at risk for increased oxidative stress which is believed to be a culprit in cancer and heart disease.

Iron supplements SHOULD NOT be taken by men, postmenopausal women and people with a dangerous condition called hemochromatosis, which causes excessive absorption of iron, leading to a build up of excess iron in organ tissues!! In children, death has occurred from ingesting 200 mg of iron. Seek medical attention immediately for accidental excessive iron intake.

Overdose can result from taking iron supplementation. Wholesome foods, on the other hand do not carry any risk of overdose.

What are the wholesome food rich in iron?
Nutritional Immunology harnesses the power of iron-rich wholesome plant foods to provide a safe and natural way of ensuring adequate iron intake for boosting your vitality and immunity.

Maitake Mushroom
Besides iron, this mushroom is rich in a wide variety of minerals including phosphorus, potassium and zinc. 100 grams of Maitake mushroom contain 0.3 mg of iron. What's more, it is a source of polysaccharides good for nourishing the immune system.

Agaricus Blazei Murill (ABM) Mushroom
100 gram of ABM mushrooms contain 9.65 mg of iron - the highest percentage of iron found in plant foods - that is easily absorbed by the human body. The ABM mushroom's perfect natural combination of nutrients provides the human body with a wholesome source of iron with no side effects.

Taking omega-3 fish oil supplements may increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer by 70%

• Supplement was also increased low-grade prostate cancer risk by 44%
• One theory is that pills may dampen down the immune system
• Omega-3 fish oils are one of the most popular supplements in the UK

By Fiona Macrae
PUBLISHED: 20:00 GMT, 10 July 2013 | UPDATED: 00:50 GMT, 11 July 2013

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2359466/Taking-omega-3-fish-oil-supplements-increase-risk-aggressive-prostate-cancer-70.html

 

Fish-oil supplements credited with a range of health benefits could trigger prostate cancer.

Experts found that omega-3 fatty acids may raise the risk of the most lethal form of the disease by more than 70 per cent.
Researchers warned against omega-3 pills, and recommended eating just one or two meals of oily fish per week.

Fish-oil supplements are said to protect against heart attacks and strokes, stave off arthritis, boost brain power and prevent behaviour disorders in children.

Taking omega-3 fatty acids, derived from fish oils, can increase a man's risk of high-grade prostate cancer by 71 per cent

However, scientists found that those with the highest levels of omega-3 in their blood were 71 per cent more likely to develop fast-growing, hard-to-treat prostate tumours.

They were also more likely to contract the slower, less deadly form of the disease, with the overall prostate cancer risk raised by 43 per cent.

 

The team from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle warned: ‘There is really no evidence that taking dietary supplements is beneficial to health, and there is increasing evidence that taking high doses is harmful.’

Dr Alan Kristal said the levels of omega-3 linked to the increased cancer risk would be reached by taking just one supplement a day, or three or four meals of fish such as salmon and mackerel each week.

Of mealtimes, he said: ‘There are good things in fish, so the message is moderation. It is probably not bad for you, and it tastes good.’

Taking omega-3 was also associated with a 44 per cent greater chance of developing low-grade prostate cancer

However, he stressed that when compared to fatty acids received by eating oily fish, the amount consumed via pills was ‘huge’.
It is unclear how fish oil could trigger tumours, but omega-3 may restrict the immune system, or damage our DNA. It is also unclear if it helps tumours to grow and spread.

The finding came amid a wider research project of more than 2,000 men, examining whether supplements of vitamin E and the mineral selenium can help prevent prostate cancer – the most common cancer in British men, killing more than 10,000. Selenium provided no benefit, and vitamin E increased the odds of contracting the disease.

Dr Kristal said: ‘As we do more and more of these studies – and I have been involved in them most of my career – we find high doses of supplements have no effect or increase the risk of the disease you are trying to prevent.
‘There is not really a single example of where taking a supplement lowers chronic disease risk.’
Professor Malcolm Mason, of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘The results of this study are surprising, and we clearly need more research to understand what is behind them.’

Although he stressed the researchers could not be certain whether the study’s participants ate oily fish or took omega-3 supplements, he said the results ‘show how complex the effects of food supplements might be’.

Dr Iain Frame of Prostate Cancer UK agreed that ‘larger and more complex studies will need to take place before we understand how the risks of a diet high in omega-3 balance against [its] benefits’.

Several recent studies have called omega-3’s benefits to the heart into question, too. One, which examined 20 studies involving almost 70,000 people, found that those who took omega-3 were no less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than others


For more info about Omega-3, do click the below:
http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/10/the-risks-of-obtaining-omega-3-from.html
http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/omega-3-fatty-acid-how-to-make-wise.html

The risks of obtaining Omega-3 from animal sources

• Do you know majority of the omega-3 are extracted from marine life?

• How well we know about ocean pollution?

• Do you think fishes are free of contaminants or being contaminated with mercury?

• How about oil spill to the sea?

• Do you know how many sea seals have to be killed yearly to get the omega-3 from them?

To find the answers, please watch the below video clip:




To learn more about a safer source of obtaining Omega-3, do click the below:
http://eehealthyfastfood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/omega-3-fatty-acid-how-to-make-wise.html

Should we use probiotics on our babies?

1. Why do we need good bacteria in our body?

Trillions of microorganism including at least 1000 species of bacteria live in the human intestines. 

We need good bacteria as good bacteria:

• helps body to digest certain foods that the stomach and small intestine cannot digest 

• ferments dietary fiber into short chain fatty acids 

• helps with the production of vitamin B and K

• crowds out harmful bacteria by competing with them for nutrition and preventing their attachment to and entry into epithelial cells

• helps to strengthen the immune system:

Scientists infected 2 groups of mice with viral germs. 

The first group had normal gut bacteria. The second group did not have gut bacteria because they were treated with antibiotics or bred under sterile conditions. 

Compared to the first group, the second group's immune response was greatly reduced and the disease took a more severe course in them.

Recent research has revealed that butyrate, a byproduct of the digestion of dietary fiber by gut microbiota, boost the immune system by inducing the production of regulatory T cells in the gut. 

2. Is there any Relationship between intestinal bacteria and heart diseases?

Yes, if our diet is on meat-based, the gut bacteria will produce a sticky compound which can clog our arteries and leads to heart disease. 

The sticky compound is called TMAO. 

What is TMAO - called trimethylamine-N-oxide? Click below to understand more.
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20130424/gut-reaction-may-predict-cardiovascular-risk

Measuring TMAO level in blood may serve as an accurate screening tool for predicting future risks of heart attacks, stroke and death. According to the findings of a study involving about 4000 subjects over 3 year period, higher levels of TMAO in the blood were associated with a higher risk of death and non-fatal heart attack or stroke. 

3. Why Probiotics are being introduced?

Probiotics in the form of dietary supplements (capsules, powder, tablets), in dairy products (cultured milk drink, yoghurts) are available in the market.

Common probiotic bacteria added are: 

• Lactobacillus acidophilus, 
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus, 
• Lactobacillus gasseri
• Bifidobacterium bifidum 

Probiotics may help in short run for diarrhea, stomach upset after antibiotics use
because they crowd out the bad bacteria. 

***However, experts caution that more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of long term use of probiotics. 

4. What are the safety concerns involved by using probiotics supplements or drink?

Probiotics supplements may not be effective (or for long term solution) as

• Number of bacteria strains from the probiotics supplements is not enough. 
• Good bacteria varies from people to people 
• Probiotics are quickly flushed out of GI tract when one stops consuming them, hence continued intake is required (leading to dependancy). 

FDA have not approved any health claims for probiotics 

They are NOT suitable for:

• People with inflamed pancreas cannot use probiotics

• Children more easily get allergy, causing problems such as breathing difficulties, hives, vomiting, diarrhea and coughing by long term consumption of probiotics

• People using corticosteroid, chemotherapy, organ transplant, AIDS, cannot use probiotics

• People with weak immune system, for example the young, elderly, those with weakened immune system are not suitable to use probiotics, they should seek advice from a health care provider before using probiotics, as they may induce potentially fatal conditions. 

• Note that the probiotics used in many probiotics drinks in the market - require milk /dairy products as a medium to grow. They will produce TMAO in our body when they are in our body and may lead to cardiovascular diseases for long term intake. 

• More information from: 

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/supplements/other-supplements/article/probiotics-pros-and-cons


5. What are the natural approach to ensure sufficient good bacteria?

Good bacteria are supposed to grow on their own naturally when the intestinal environment is healthy. 

We don't have to replenish them by our own.

Based on different diets, each person's digestive system requires different types of good bacteria to digest the food.

For eg, people from Sichuan (eat spicy food) and shanghai (eat sweet food) have different types of good bacteria. If we supplement probiotics using outer source, we may not know which type of good bacteria our intestine requires.

In conclusion, change your diet to more fruits and vegetable to ensure healthy intestinal environment, so to let your intestine grow the good bacteria on its own. 
- no side effects 
- no reliance issue 

6. Plant foods for a healthy gut: 

1. Psyllium Husk 

2. Oat

3. Soy bean 

4. Fruits 

It's never too late to change our diet. 

If you are a parent and considering giving your children probiotics supplements but worry about possible safety concerns, you can now have a more natural approach: 

Charge your children's diet with above plant foods for a healthy gut. =) 

According to a Harvard study, following a change from an animal-based diet to a plant based diet, the gut bacteria composition in the body actually changes within a day! 

7. My solution to maintain a healthy gut of my 2 children is: 

Nutrifresh - a convenient wholesome freeze-dried food made of organic and non-GMO soy bean, and 15 different types of organic fruits and vegetables. 

• Free of preservatives
• Free of artificial colouring 
• Awarded Food Safety Excellence Award by Singapore AVA for consecutively 12 years since 2004

More info about NUTRIFRESH:

https://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2014/06/soy-protein-or-animal-protein.html


If you wish to find out healthy food suitable for a child's gut, kindly contact me via message/ email. 

Warmest Regards 
Joselyne 
+65-90909942

The Toxic Truth about Vitamin Supplements

Read an article about vitamin supplements - would like to share with all here.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1305534/The-toxic-truth-vitamin-supplements-Health-pills-millions-barely-second-thought-harm-good.html

The toxic truth about vitamin supplements: How health pills millions take with barely a second thought can do more harm than good
By Lynne Wallis
UPDATED: 00:26 GMT, 24 August 2010


Four years ago, I began taking the much promoted glucosamine supplement after hurting my knee in a skiing accident.
Glucosamine is made from shellfish and is widely believed to promote joint health - the theory is that it speeds up the production of the protein needed to grow and maintain healthy cartilage.
Although there's no clinical evidence of its effectiveness, my GP said it might help rebuild the damaged cartilage and improve my joint strength. I didn't hesitate, and immediately started taking the recommended dose, 1,500 mg a day.

Toxic tablet: Headaches, diarrhoea and a flagging libido can be side effects of taking some vitamin supplements

Not long after, I found I needed to go to the lavatory far too often - sometimes more than five times a day. I had abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas and my stools were dark and tarry. I self- diagnosed IBS.
My GP prescribed drugs to relax the bowel muscles, but they didn't help. Then, early last year, I ran out of glucosamine and didn't restock. My knee was better and I was taking fish oils, which were being promoted as the new miracle supplement for joints.
Within a few days, my bowels returned to normal and remained so until, after another ski accident damaging the same knee in March this year, I began taking glucosamine again.
Within a week my 'IBS' had returned and I made the link. I researched glucosamine and found that side-effects include diarrhoea and loose stools. I stopped again and, hey presto, everything's back to normal.
Sales of health supplements have soared in recent years, with 40 per cent of Britons taking them. It's such a huge market that manufacturers spend around £40 million a year just telling us about their products. 

As supplements are either made from natural substances or mimic substances produced by our bodies, many people, like me, assume they cannot do any harm.
But we're wrong, say health professionals. They point out that the health supplement industry is unregulated, which means manufacturers are not required to list potential side-effects - nor do their products have to go through costly clinical trials.
There are a handful of exceptions, such as folic acid, which is recommended for women trying to conceive. If you take a tablet of 400 micrograms (mcg) strength to help with conception, it is classed as a food.
But increase the dose to 5 mg (to treat anaemia and other conditions) and it becomes a medicine, requiring a licence. Otherwise, there are no checks and balances to protect consumers. And this worries experts.
'Health supplements can produce ill effects,' warns Anna Raymond, from the British Dietetic Association.
'People take supplements randomly, but they can be toxic if taken with some medicines or in high quantities.'

Needless habit: Experts say it's better to have a healthy diet than take supplements

Indeed, glucosamine has been linked to the death of one man. In 2004, Norman Ferrie, a 64-year-old engineer from Dundee, died of liver failure within weeks of taking the supplement.
'The liver had been normal and something had attacked it,' gastroenterologist Dr John Dillon, of Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, told the inquest in 2008. He said there had been two other cases involving extreme reactions to the widely used supplement.
'Increasingly, people are being taken in by the prospect of a magic pill that will make them healthy,' says Dr Dillon. 'Most people don't know that glucosamine and other supplements are only licensed as a food, but are sold as a medicine.
'It would seem fair to ask manufacturers of supplements to list serious risks.
'Everything we need can be got from a healthy diet. The vast majority of health supplements are a waste of money. People feel fluey and start taking supplements they don't need. They could end up with hypervitaminosis, caused by excessive amounts of supplements.'
This can lead to vomiting, lethargy and even renal failure. 'The only time a person should take a supplement is if a doctor recommends it,' adds Dr Dillon.
But even taking supplements on doctors' recommendations is not risk free. Last month, it was reported that taking calcium supplements - often prescribed for osteoporosis - could raise the risk of heart attacks by 30 per cent.
And it's not just the main ingredient than causes problems. Another risk is having an allergy to one of the constituents of a tablet, such as a binding agent or the gel coating, says nutritionist Dr Carrie Buxton, from the Health Supplement Information Service.
Despite the concerns, the Food Standards Agency says legislation on supplements is adequate. So, what can you do to ensure your safety?
Dietitian Anna Raymond advises anyone who starts taking supplements should tell their GP. And here we identify some of the supplements with potentially negative effects you won't find listed on the packet.
GLUCOSAMINE
WHAT IT IS: The supplement, which is made from crab and lobster shells (so should be avoided if you have a seafood allergy), is often taken to ease the symptoms of arthritis.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: According to the Arthritis Research Campaign, these can include stomach upset, constipation, diarrhoea, headache and rash; glucosamine can also react with anti-diabetic treatments by increasing blood sugar levels.
The UK Commission on Human Medicines has noted that glucosamine has a negative interaction with the blood-thinning drug warfarin and warns against taking these substances simultaneously.
The supplement might also cause water retention, as it attracts water.

KELP

WHAT IT IS: This supplement is made from a seaweed which is the fastest-growing marine algae in the world - it can grow two feet in one day and is most abundant off the north California coast.
Kelp is a rich source of several minerals and trace elements, including iodine - deficiency of which can lead to an underactive thyroid. It is marketed as a treatment for thyroid imbalance, caused by the thyroid gland producing either too much or too little of the hormone.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: Despite the claims made for it, studies have linked kelp to an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction. It's also a blood thinner and shouldn't be taken with aspirin or any medicine to lower blood pressure.
There's also concern that some kelp is being harvested from kelp 'forests' in polluted oceans, which means it could be toxic. In 2007, research at the University of California found high levels of arsenic in eight out of nine kelp supplements. Arsenic is linked to hair loss, headaches, confusion and drowsiness.
POTASSIUM
WHAT IT IS: Maintaining an adequate potassium level is important for bone health and the proper functioning of the body. Potassium supplements are often taken to help combat insulin resistance, arthritis and menopausal symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: Taken in very high doses as a supplement, potassium can have serious side-effects such as arrhythmia (faulty heartbeat) - and it can even be fatal.
Research at Oregon State University has also linked it to muscle weakness, confusion, stomach pain and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or mouth.
Potassium supplements react badly with some medicines, and shouldn't be taken by anyone suffering from kidney or heart disease, severe dehydration or high blood pressure.
Older people who often have too much potassium in their bodies should avoid these supplements - kidneys are less efficient at eliminating potassium as we age.

MELATONIN

WHAT IT IS: Natural melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain and helps to regulate sleep.
Supplements can control our sleep/ wake cycles and are used to treat sleep disorders. British manufacturers make medical claims about its sleep benefits, so here it is licensed as a prescription- only medicine - however it is freely available in the
U.S. POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: These include raised blood pressure, vivid dreams, headache, lower body temperature, fatigue, depression, decreased libido and reduced fertility.
A daily dose of 1- 3 mg of melatonin increases the body's levels of melatonin by 20 times the normal amount. The British Pharmaceutical Society says that studies on its effectiveness to treat jet-lag have been conflicting.

CALCIUM

WHAT IT IS: Calcium is an essential mineral for the growth and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth and for blood clotting, muscle contraction, healthy nerves and good hormone function. It is usually taken by women to boost bone health.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: Research published last month by Auckland and Aberdeen universities reflected other studies in finding a 30 per cent increased risk of heart attack among women taking calcium supplements - most women taking them are postmenopausal and concerned about osteoporosis.
This increase is due to the risk of calcium supplements accelerating the hardening of blood vessels. Doctors involved with a 2008 New Zealand study advise women of 70 or older not to take calcium supplements.

Shared by,
Joselyne

Safety concern of Traditional Chinese medicine

Read this article this morning, would like to share it.

Please take note of the traditional Chinese medication...

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/chinese-medicines-may-contain-high-levels-toxins-230754907.html

British health regulators have issued a warning that some traditional Chinese medications contain "dangerously high" levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic.

On Tuesday, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned people not to use a number of unlicensed Chinese medicines, including a product called Bak Foong Pills, which are used to treat menstrual pain.

The medicine has been recalled in Hong Kong after it was found to contain up to twice the level of lead permitted by the Hong Kong Government.

Another Chinese medication called Hairegenerator, used for the treatment of hair loss, has also been recalled in Hong Kong after a sample was found to contain 11 times the permitted level of mercury.

The Swedish National Food Agency (SFNA), meanwhile, has found extremely high levels of arsenic in products going by a variety of names, including Niu-Huang Chieh-tu-pein, Divya Kaishore Guggul, and Chandraprabha Vati.

These are used for the treatment of mumps, sore throat, tonsillitis, toothache, skin infections, anorexia, and fever in young children.

"The adulteration of traditional Chinese medicines with heavy metals is a significant international problem and can pose a serious risk to public health," said Richard Woodfield, MHRA's Head of Herbal Policy.

 UK consumers can follow Woodfield's advice: "To help you choose an herbal medicine that is suitable for you, look for a product that has a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) or product license number on the packaging.

These products have met the acceptable quality and safety standards. – AFP/Relaxnews, August 22, 2013.

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Joselyne

Nourishment for Heart and Liver

Protect Your Heart and Liver

Our body is constantly working 24 hours daily. 

Our heart has never stopped pumping and our liver is our constant filter. Hence, it is important we properly nourish our heart and liver. 

To protect the heart and liver from diseases, the immune system must be well nourished.

Importance of our HEART:

• The heart is a powerful muscle slightly larger than a clenched fist located behind the rib cage, and a little to the left of the centre of the body. 

• The heart works like a pump and sends oxygen-rich blood and nutrients through all parts of the body for each cell to function. On the way back to the heart, blood carries away carbon dioxide and waste products.

Importance of our LIVER:

• The liver is the largest gland in the body, and scientists estimated that it has over 500 different functions. Evidence indicates that growing older is NOT a reason for the liver to function ANY LESS efficiently.

The main functions of the liver are to:

1. Assist in the food digestion. It makes bile, which is needed to digest fats
2. Make many chemicals important for function of all over the body.
3. Filter blood, remove toxins, dead cells, microorganism from bloodstream
4. Regulate fat metabolism
5. Burn fat - major fat-burning organ in the body
6. Store carbohydrates in the form that allows a quick release of energy when it is needed. This is why people with liver damage may lack of energy.
7. Regulate blood sugar
8. Make plasma proteins, needed to help blood clot
9. The liver is a bridge between the returning blood from the digestive system and the lower part of the body to the heart. 
10. Maintaining an adequate amount of blood flow to the heart
11. Contains over half of the body’s supply of Kupffer cells and large populations of natural killer (NK) cells. These immune cells attack and kill “foreign” cells, including tumor cells & cells infected with bacteria or viruses. The liver’s ability to fight infections, will be impaired if the liver is damaged in any way.
12. Plays an important role in the production of cholesterol. When we have high bad cholesterol, it is not just purely due to dietary intake. It could be caused also by malfunctioning of liver.

(We need cholesterol to strengthen the membranes of each and every cell in the body. It is also important in the production of many hormones in the body including estrogen, progesterone, cortisone, and aldosterone. These steroid hormones help the body manage stress and balance sodium and water in the body, not to mention regulate sexual function.)

• By properly nourishing our liver, we can keep our cholesterol level in a good balance and thereby we will be able to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

-> Therefore, there is a direct link between our liver and heart.

Recent study has also shown that heart attacks, strokes (cardiovascular diseases) are caused by malfunctioning of our immune system. When there is inflammation on our blood vessels, there will be immune cells which will gather on the blood vessels wall which further block the passage of blood; in addition of deposition of cholesterol and fats on the blood vessels.

--> Hence, we must nourish our liver and heart in a broader scope ie. nourishing our immune system.

As long as our immune system are well nourished, we are assured that we are always with the best doctor in the world!

Protect Your Heart and Liver

Nutritional Immunology advocates plant foods that are high in disease-fighting nutrients like phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides.

Nutritionists recommended obtaining a variety of nutrients from our diet, not from pills, because not all the nutrients in plant foods can be mimicked in a laboratory and bottled into pills.

Furthermore, liver and heart pills or medicines bring along many side effects as you can see below:

Besides consuming a variety of wholesome plant foods on a daily basis, maintaining good heart and liver health also requires adequate rest and exercise, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining emotional balance.



What are the plant foods which are excellent for our heart and liver?
1. BLUEBERRIES

Do you know these tiny blueberries are mighty disease-fighting warriors? Brimming with health-promoting compounds, they give a delicious boost to your heart, immune system, brain, eyes and musculoskeletal system.

Keep your heart happy with Blueberries! Thanks to their high antioxidant activity, blueberries help reduce the buildup of LDL (bad) cholesterol, prevent formation of blood clots that may block blood vessels and cause heart attack and stroke. They may also lower blood pressure. Phytochemicals in blueberries strengthen blood vessels and are useful in treating varicose veins and spider veins.

2. HAWTHORN

Hawthorn is a beautiful shrub with a variety of phytochemicals, making it a herb that nourishes the cardiovascular system in many ways!

What are the benefits of Hawthorn?

•  It increases the rate at which the liver converts LDL cholesterol (bad) into HDL cholesterol (good).
• Antioxidants in hawthorn include Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) that help protect against cell damage and atheroscle...rosis.
• It is rich in flavonoids that help to strengthen the structure of collagen in blood vessels, preventing plaque buildup in them and improving blood flow for the smooth circulation of oxygenated blood.
• It also helps to decrease blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.
• It nourishes heart, makes it easier for calcium to enter cells, increases myocardium activity and dilation of blood vessels thus help prevent the heart from oxygen deprivation.
• Laboratory tests found that hawthorn stopped growth of larynx cancer cells. It may also relieve inflammation

Some other heart and liver nourishing plant foods:

Plum helps to prevent plaque formation in the arteries. The high potassium content in plum helps to normalize blood pressure, while soluble fiber promotes heart health.

Winter melon may protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancers by fighting free radicals and inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, which causes blood vessels to narrow. It also promotes urination, thereby removing wastes and toxins from the body.

Chrysanthemum increases blood flow to the heart. It is also reputed for aiding liver functions, lowering high blood pressure, improving eyesight, and detoxifying blood.

Mulberry helps improve blood flow, which eases the workload of theheart. It supports healthy liver function as it has detoxification properties.

As convenience,
 
To get the above plant foods more conveniently based on the right species, right harvesting time, right processing and safety guarantee, ENCORE  is an ideal healthy fast food as your option.

ENCORE is a wholesome food product made of 

• Blueberries
• Hawthorn
• Winter Melon
• Chrysanthemum 
• Mulberry

Who have benefitted from ENCORE?

My father has been taking high blood pressure medication for more than 20 years. Due to long term intake of medication, I know his liver and kidney will be definitely burdened. 

Therefore, I got him ENCORE and REFRESH to consume. 

Initially he was not too enthusiastic in taking the health foods, but my mother was very diligently making the drinks for him every morning and night! 

After taking for quite some time, he observed that the rashes on his skin getting lesser. He used to have rashes around his hand or legs due to toxin from the medication. He knew that the ENCORE and REFRESH are helping him a lot! 

Now without fail, he is taking both the products daily! =)

Cheers

Joselyne
Nutritional Immunology Consultant

+65-9090 9942