Live The Life You Want

16/10/2018

Magnesium in Dietary Supplements – Which form is best?

Although different forms of magnesium vary somewhat regarding bioavailability and other characteristics, their benefits related to providing supplemental magnesium aren't as different as they are often portrayed.

As the current science stands, there is not sufficient evidence to suggest one form of magnesium is far superior to another in terms of bioavailability and efficacy. In fact, clinical studies have generally found a variety of common forms (ie. carbonate, chloride, citrate, orotate, oxide) effective at correcting deficiencies or providing clinical benefit.

If there is an appropriate dosage and the products themselves are made correctly, all common supplemental forms of magnesium are beneficial in supplying magnesium to the body.

When it comes deciding on a particular form, it’s about more than simply bioavailability. Consistency and quality of the raw materials, size of the chemical compound (how much can fit into a specific size of tablet or capsule), compatibility with other ingredients, side effects, and other factors are involved in deciding which form is best in a specific product.

When you see a company or product touting the special benefits of a new or unique form of magnesium, there is often little to no research to support the claims. But, if they are made correctly they likely provide magnesium as well as any other magnesium compound, and that would be its primary benefit.

Quality of the product and consistency of intake are more important than the specific form it is in.

To learn more about magnesium and its role in health, best food sources, and why it may sometimes be necessary to supplement the diet, see the following links:

https://askthescientists.com/qa/minerals/
https://askthescientists.com/magnesium-bone-health/
https://askthescientists.com/magnesium-reduces-risk-sudden-cardiac-death-women/

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23/09/2018

You Want Some of This Heavy Metal

Approximately 95 percent of the zinc in your body is found within the cells, where it’s involved in numerous aspects of metabolism. If fact, you can’t synthesize proteins or DNA without it.

Zinc was only established as an essential nutrient for rats and mice in the 1930s, for pigs in 1955, and finally for humans in 1963. Even though it’s considered a trace element, it’s among the most abundant elements within cells.

Find out more about zinc, and why it is one of your most critical mineral nutrients.

https://askthescientists.com/qa/minerals/

Zinc is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes needed for cell function in kidneys, muscles, skin, and bones. But zinc’s biggest impact happens deep inside your cells.

18/08/2018

“Fillers”. “Binders.” The “other ingredients” in tablets. They are called excipients, and for some reason many people fear them without even knowing what they are, or why they are used.

Excipients are inactive, non-medicinal ingredients that are used in tablets to impart desirable characteristics important for manufacture, convenience of use, stability and product efficacy. Excipients are not just "fillers."

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a science, and quality manufacturers approach excipients with the same scientific scrutiny that are given to active ingredients. Safety, quality, and effectiveness should be paramount considerations for all high quality product ingredients.

Small variations in physical properties of an excipient can produce significant differences in the behavior of a finished product. In other words, using top quality excipients (inactive ingredients) is as important as using top quality active ingredients.

The lowest dosage of excipients is used to make the tablets functional. But, the actual percentage varies considerably depending on the product. Here are a couple of examples from both ends of the spectrum.

A quality multivitamin/mineral is generally packed with active ingredients, and only about 8-10% of the tablet weight would be excipients. On the other hand, a product like a Vitamin D tablet would be mostly excipients. That’s because the amount of vitamin D being delivered is so small, there is no other way to provide it. Think of the size of one single salt crystal (just regular table salt). The amount of vitamin D in 1,000 IU is only 25 micrograms (25/1,000,000th of a gram). This is more than twice the recommended (RDA) amount, yet it is only the weight of one half of a crystal of salt. Non-medicinal ingredients are absolutely essential to the integrity and function of the product.

This is really no different than nutrients in foods. Many compounds and elements in foods provide little to no nutritional benefit, but are still important in the structure and function of the food.

Let’s use an orange as an example. We all know oranges are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. But if we add those to all the known essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in a small 100-gram orange, combined they only make up 1/324th, or 0.324%, of the weight of the fruit. And, the total of all the macronutrient content (protein, carbs, fat) adds another 12.7 grams (75% of which is sugar). So, all the important micro- and macro- nutrients make up 13% of the orange. Does that mean the rest of the orange is useless, or unhealthy? Of course not.

There are certainly ingredients and excipients used by many companies that aren’t necessary or of high quality. There is generally no need for artificial colorings and sweeteners, preservatives, or any excipients that aren’t both safe and effective. The next time someone questions the use of tablets instead of capsules, powders or liquids, consider this: if tablets were not a very effective method of delivery, why would most pharmaceuticals utilize tablets when precision and accuracy of dosage are so important?

So, let’s have a little respect for the “other ingredients” and the science behind tableting. Without them, delivering the consistent, high quality essential nutrients in high quality products would not be possible.

See the following links for more on tablet excipients and tablet manufacturing (with video).

https://askthescientists.com/qa/what-are-excipients/
https://askthescientists.com/qa/tablet-manufacturing/

15/08/2018

13 Vitamins You Need in Your Diet

Learn about all the vitamins your body needs to function and stay healthy. Because you literally depend on these essential micronutrients to survive and thrive.

In this article, all 13 essential vitamins are covered—from A to K. Discover what they are, how much you need, and how they work together to support vital functions in the body. You’ll even learn about some interesting science behind their discoveries.

An introduction to the basics of vitamins and how they help your health. Discover more about the vitamins your body needs.

12/08/2018

11 Amazing Facts About Your Eyes

It’s important to take good care of our eyes. They’re the only ones we get. Here are some interesting facts about eyes that may amaze you!

1. Each eye is composed of more than two million working parts.
2. Eyes are the second most complex organ—after the brain.
3. The typical blink lasts for only about 1/10th of a second, and you blink about 12 times each minute.
4. Corneas are the only tissues that don’t have any blood flow.
5. Eye development starts two weeks after conception.
6. The muscles controlling the eyes are the most active muscles in the body.
7. Healthy vision requires the involvement of almost half the brain.
8. Eyelashes have a lifespan of about five months. The total length of all the eyelashes lost by a human in their life is about 30 meters, or 98 feet.
9. Newborns don’t typically produce tears. Although they make crying sounds, tears don’t start flowing until they are about four to 13 weeks old.
10. Worldwide, about 39 million people are blind, and roughly 250 million have some kind of vision impairment. About 80 percent of vision problems worldwide are avoidable.
11. Currently, it is not possible to transplant an eyeball. The optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain is too sensitive to reconstruct successfully.

Our favorite eye-related quote - “I opened two gifts this morning. They were my eyes.” – posted on the wall in an eye surgeon’s office.

More information on nutrients that support eye health:

https://askthescientists.com/qa/which-nutrients-best-support-healthy-vision/

02/08/2018

Nature is smart.

The vibrant colors in fruits and vegetables are appealing for a reason. Each color represents different types of beneficial compounds, or phytonutrients, which can take your health to a new level.

Discover what each color can offer, and why more color means better health. Get shopping suggestions to diversify the produce in your grocery cart and make colorful eating easier.

Keep colorful eating in mind when planning your snacks and meals. Learn how vibrant fruits and vegetables can benefit your body.

22/07/2018

GET TO KNOW YOUR CELLS

We talk about cells a lot in nutrition and health. And it makes sense since you can’t really be healthy if you don’t have strong, flourishing cells.

Understanding basic functions and characteristics of our cells can be a real advantage when you take an interest in your health, especially with new science and technology emerging all the time.

Whether you are just now learning about the basic functions and make-up of the human cell, or just need a refresher, this info-graphic is well done, informative, and easy to understand.

Go to the following link for the full-size graphic and article:

http://whatsupusana.com/2016/06/cellular-biology/

30/06/2018

DID YOU KNOW?

Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and lowers your blood sugar which can cause increased heart rate and shakiness. To prevent these unpleasant side effects, add a small snack to your cup of coffee.

24/06/2018

Support Vascular Health with Nutrients Found in Grapes

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition analyzed grapes and heart health. It sheds light on the effect of grape polyphenol compounds on the health of the endothelium, the layer of cells that line your blood vessels. These cells are involved in overall vascular function and health.

Click below to read about the nutrients from grapes that support healthy endothelial cells and vascular function.

Some research has focused on nutrients as part of an overall therapeutic strategy for reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome.

22/06/2018

Vitamin B7 (Biotin) is sometimes referred to as the forgotten B vitamin. Deficiencies are rare, partly due to the fact that it is one vitamin that is manufactured in small amounts in the gut.

Interesting fact: Raw egg white contains a protein known as avidin that binds biotin and prevents its absorption. Cooking egg white denatures avidin so it no longer can prevent biotin absorption.

Learn more about this important B vitamin and why it is so important for health. It really doesn't deserve to be forgotten.

Biotin regulates gene expression, supports your hair and bones, facilitates cell signaling, and helps in a process that makes glucose out of non-carbohydrate materials.

19/06/2018

CellSentials is here!

We understand that everyone is excited for the coming of our new flagship product, powered by USANA's InCelligence Technology. To know more about InCelligence technology behind our newest offering, we invite everyone to join the InCelligence Technology Webinar via ZOOM Meetings, this June 25, 2018 at 5:30 in the afternoon. See you there!

17/06/2018

Fish Oil Supports Healthy Recovery of Joints and Muscles After Exercise

Research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology indicates that fish oil supplementation helps support the health and recovery of joints and muscles after exercise.

The study was conducted on young, healthy men who took a fish oil supplement or placebo for eight weeks.

Learn about the dosage that was used and how fish oil influenced the muscles and joints during recovery from exercise.

https://askthescientists.com/fish-oil-supplementation-increases-joint-range-motion-diminishes-muscle-soreness-strength-loss-exercise/?utm_source=facebook