Omega-3s are called essential fatty acids because while they are necessary for optimal health, the body is incapable of producing them.  Therefore, they must be obtained from what we eat.  Foods that are the richest sources of these fats include certain fish like salmon, sardines and herring, as well as walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil.  Other sources, while not as packed with the fats are still good sources and that includes shrimp, clams, cod and spinach. 

Three main compounds make up the Omega-3 fats: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).  Since ALA actually is converted into the other two compounds in the body, the most important to watch for would be DHA and EPA.  Those two are more readily utilized by the body.

Studies have been done with giving omega-3 supplements during pregnancy and then following the resulting infants until they were four years old.  The children were consistently ahead of their peers who did not receive supplementation in utero.  DHA, in particular, has been shown so beneficial to brain development that baby formula makers are including it in their formulas.

Many studies have been done and continue to be done on the effects of omega-3 supplements on the brain, both healthy and unhealthy.  The compounds have been shown to improve depression and anxiety.  In fact, tests were done an array of patients diagnosed with depression and found that they all had low levels of omega-3s.  Since the fats are such an important part of nerve cell membranes, it is thought that the supplementation enabled the nerve cells to communicate more clearly with one another – crucial to proper mental health.

Several studies have been done to see what effect omega-3 levels may have on ADHD.  They’ve consistently shown that the majority of diagnosed patients had lower levels of the fatty acids.  One study gave 117 children with ADHD supplements of omega-3 fatty acids for three months.  Over that time, the children showed significant improvements in spelling, reading and behavior. 

Still other trials have been done to see if omega-3 supplements could prove beneficial for Alzheimer’s disease since that is primarily a disease affecting cognition and memory.  Just as with the children with ADHD, it turns out that Alzheimer’s patients have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  In the studies done thus far, there have been significant improvements in mental reasoning and memory function for early to moderate Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.

When you look at the best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids and compare it to the typical western diet, it is not surprising that a lack of these vital micro-nutrients has been theorized to correspond to the rising numbers of ADHD diagnoses and depression.  Over the past fifty years, we have become more reliant on processed, refined food sources plus pollution has led to recommendations of not eating large amounts of most of the richest fish sources.  Could the two be cause and effect? 

 Only time will tell.

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The thing is with dietary supplements, including vitamins or herbal concoctions, is that they are treated more like a food than a drug since most are derived from food.  Even synthetically engineered vitamins are treated as if they are nothing more than what we would normally eat.  Years of clinical trials and research studies must be done before a pharmaceutical company can bring a new medication to market but supplements are not required to follow these rigorous standards.  Unfortunately, this lack of research and regulation can lead to some serious issues for the consumer. 

One issue that is fairly common is problems caused by overdosing on certain vitamins.  Some vitamins are water soluble and not stored in the body’s tissues, like vitamins B and C.  Your body simply uses what it needs for the day and any amount over that is flushed out of the body.  However, fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A and D will build up in the body as the excess is stored within our fat cells and liver for future needs.  Excessive amounts of these vitamins can cause illnesses and even fatal toxicity.  Yet some supplements are marketed with recommended dosages far beyond the level recommended.

Another problem is the consistency from brand to brand for nutritional supplements.  Since there is so little regulation on the industry, one brand could have very high quality ingredients that are consistent while another brand may provide little actual benefit and the amount of active ingredients could vary from bottle to bottle.  There is no requirements for quality testing on these products, at least in the United States, so manufacturers can get away with a lot when creating new supplements.

Fortunately, the most reputable manufacturers of supplements are quite good at self-policing.  The top brands will have their own voluntary quality control methods to ensure consistency and quality of their products.  The industry leaders will also conduct studies about the efficacy and dosing of their products so that they can produce the safest products possible.  When considering a nutritional supplement, you should make sure that you only purchase the highest quality products from well-known, reputable supplement manufacturers.

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The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is a daily dose of either natural or synthetic thyroid supplements and possibly an anti-depressant until the medication improves the situation.  The major problem with drug treatment is that most doctors treat with enough medication to bring your body’s blood levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) into the range considered normal.  That ranges from as little as .2 mcg to 4 mcg.  As you can see, that is a very wide range for what is considered normal.

There is no baseline test given to people at this time so the doctors have no way of knowing what is normal for you except to see if you experience relief from your symptoms.  Each doctor has a different level of relief that they consider acceptable (yes, I said they, not you) and they often will settle for a dose that doesn’t give you complete relief from all symptoms or make you feel like your old self. 

For those who are not feeling 100% better, there are some supplements that are known to support thyroid function and can give you that extra edge needed to be back in top form again.  The vitamins, minerals or other micro-nutrients mentioned here will not cure your hypothyroidism nor are they to be considered as a replacement for drug therapy.  Rather, they have been shown to be helpful in increasing the relief from the medication so should be taken in addition to traditional drug therapy.

Vitamin B-complex vitamins are crucial to proper thyroid function and are normally prescribed to those who have had to have a thyroid removed.  There has been much evidence that taking a quality supplement in addition to your thyroid medicine can increase the effectiveness of treatment.  B vitamins increase homocysteine in the body and while there is yet to be an exact cause and effect shown, studies have shown that those deficient in homocysteine will have a greater likelihood of also having hypothyroidism.

Iodine and selenium are two minerals that are vital to proper thyroid function and are, in fact, stored in the thyroid gland.  Iodine deficiency is almost unheard of in the western world so supplementation is not recommended.  Selenium, however, may be supplemented if a person’s diet is deficient.  The richest sources of selenium are nuts, fish, whole grains and meats. 

If these are foods you rarely consume, a supplement may prove beneficial.

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One pomegranate contains 40 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C requirements for adults as well as folic acid, potassium, fiber, niacin and vitamins A and E.  Research done in Israel found that the oil from the pomegranate seed could cause breast cancer cells to self-destruct, leaving the healthy cells untouched. This study also suggests that a regular intake of pomegranate juice will prevent the growth of cancer cells in the breast.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C can be met by drinking just one eight ounce serving of pomegranate juice. Pomegranates themselves contain more health benefits than strawberries and blueberries and the juice of this succulent fruit contains a very influential antioxidant called punicalagin.

One of the most recent revelations about pomegranate juice’s health benefits suggest that regularly drinking the juice can prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. Studies done found that pomegranate juice inhibited the production of the enzyme that is responsible in causing the damage.

The popularity of pomegranate juice is  rising steadily due to the recent amount of buzz that this drink has generated. With an growing number of people wishing to ‘cheat death’, consumers have turned to pomegranate juice. Pomegranate juice is causing waves in the health and fitness markets and it is now considered to be THE beverage to have on hand both in the heath clubs as well as at home.

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Supplements consisting of acai berry have swept the health food industry and the sale of acai berry supplements have shot through the roof. The acai berry was dubbed the newest ‘super food’ and consumers embraced the berry as it was featured on numerous talk shows and made the headlines on a regular basis.

The acai berry grows in the rainforest of Brazil and it is classified as a fruit. The berry itself is about the same size as a grape and has a purplish hue. Ninety percent of the fruit consists of seed and the berry is covered by a thin pulp.

The old saying that good things come in small packages is indeed true of the acai berry, as it is touted for its amazing benefits. It is claimed to be one of the most nutritious foods and an extremely powerful antioxidant. The acai berry contains a fairly high amount of fiber and it also contains omega 6 and omega 9 fats. Both of these fats act as natural appetite suppressants.

Not only does the high fiber content of the acai berry lower blood sugar levels but it also boosts energy levels and increases stamina.  The high amounts of essential fatty acids and omegas have been proven to lower LDL cholesterol and maintain HDL cholesterol levels. The acai berry is also rich in carbohydrates which provide the body with the energy that is needed while working out or playing sports. For this reason, gyms and health spas the world over are offering acai berry juice to their customers.

The fatty acid content in acai is much like that of olive oil and it is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid as well. This type of acid makes cell membranes more supple so that insulin receptors can function more efficiently. Supple cell membranes insure that hormones and insulin receptors function with efficiency.

One of the reasons that the acai berry is referred to as the number one ‘superfood‘ of today is the fact that it contains ten times more antioxidants than grapes and twice as many as blueberries and red wine. Recent research has also found that acai berry is beneficial for the prevention of colon cancer and leukemia.

The acai berry has become a common buzzword in the health and wellness market and it seems that you cannot get through a day now without hearing something about a new product that is out there which contains acai berries as a central ingredient.

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This is simply due to the fact that you cannot grow muscle without protein.

Whey protein provides many other health benefits besides promoting muscle growth. It is particularly helpful for weight loss and more specifically, fat loss. It is widely known that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can add years to one’s life and can help to prevent complications such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Adding whey protein to a healthy diet makes a positive difference as whey protein is a pure protein that has very little fat and carbohydrates.

Whey itself is a natural dairy protein that is a derivative of the cheese making process. Many of the whey supplements that are on the market come from cow’s milk which is made up of 20% whey. Whey protein supplements are highly concentrated forms of protein that eliminate the lactose and milk fat–making it an incredible source of protein. Whey is also a complete protein, which means that it consists of all essential amino acids which are absolutely vital to the body’s metabolism and to ensure that the body functions properly.

It is a common and well known fact that in order to build strong bones, the body needs calcium. Whey protein not only delivers a high level of calcium but it also plays a vital role in bone formation. Whey protein can improve bone density by activating bone forming cells. Whey is essential for active people, most notably children as well as for women who are in their menopausal years.

Why protein provides powerful immune-boosting effects on the body and this is one reason many people living with HIV consume a whey protein supplement on a regular basis. The protein increases glutathione levels which are normally low in HIV patients. These increased levels enhance the crucial activity of T-cells to strengthen and improve the immune system.

For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, nausea and a lack of appetite are real issues. Doctors often advice these patients to take a steady supply of whey protein  as it is easy to digest and is very gentle to the system.

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Scientists were curious with this correlation so they began to run studies to see if incorporating more cold water fish in the diets of those who do not normally eat much fish, could produce the same benefit.  Their findings did indeed find a very definite link between the consumption of specific fats that were in fish and a decreased risk for certain types of heart disease.

Over time, the list of the  benefits of fish oil grew. Today, most people who take a fish oil supplement knows that it is good for the heart. Fish oil makes blood less likely to form clots which causes heart attacks and it also provides protection against irregular heartbeats that can contribute to sudden death. Because fish oil provides the entire body with anti-inflammatory effects, it is proving to be a great natural remedy for a wide range of health problems. Fish is protein rich and low in cholesterol.  Most fish species have high concentrations of three kinds of essential, non-saturated fatty acids called omega 3, ALA (a l-inolenic acid),  EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid. The term ‘essential’ refers to the fact that the human body is unable to create these fatty acids and they must be included in the diet.

Fish oil could prolong life for people who suffer from congestive heart failure. When the heart is not strong enough to effectively pump blood, taking 1,000 mg of fish oil daily in addition to the conventional drug treatment for heart failure can result in people living longer.

It is believed that a regular consumption of fish oil assists the immune system, which enables the body to be resistant against common diseases and ailments including the flu. Fish oil is also beneficial to people suffering from lupus, which is a disease that attacks the immune system and wreaks havoc on various organs and their functionality. Fish oil also reduces pain and inflammation in the joints, kidneys, lungs and can reduce fatigue as well as alleviate skin rashes.

For people who suffer from depression, anxiety, restlessness, stress and decreased sexual desire, taking a fish oil supplement can provide relief. It has been found that countries where cold water fish is eaten on a regular basis often have a low incidence of depression.

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Krill oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fat, docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), much like fish oil.   Krill oil also contains the A, D, and E vitamins as well as another potent antioxidant called canthaxanthin. 

Remarkably, the antioxidant strength of krill oil is 48 times higher than that of fish oil. Krill oil also contains astaxanthin, yet another powerful antioxidant which is beneficial in fighting the harmful effects of ultraviolet light on skin.

There is indisputable scientific data that proves that krill oil is extremely effective in lowering LDL cholesterol, elevating HDL cholesterol and reducing blood sugar. Krill oil is also very effective in the treatment of discomfort and inflammation that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis as well as pain in general. There is also proof that krill oil helps alleviate the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Krill oil is credited with being effective in treating adult ADHD as well.

Seafood is a great source of omega 3 fats as most of us know, but many people are hesitant to incorporate a lot of fish into their diets today due to the concern over being exposed to toxic substances that come from industrial pollutants in our waters. Eating contaminated seafood is likely to increase PCBs and radioactive poisons in the body. The FDA itself has warned nursing and pregnant women as well as children not to eat certain seafood.  Krill oil is considered to be a safe substitute for seafood as toxins are unlikely to accumulate among krill due the fact that they are so low on the food chain.

Some other valuable benefits of krill oil worth mentioning  are that it it improves memory, slows the body’s anti-aging effects, protects cellular membranes,  strengthens the immune system, regulates cholesterol, elevates the mood, promotes liver health as well as improve the overall  health of skin.

As more and more people are learning about the benefits of taking krill oil, it is becoming increasingly popular not only due to the fact that is has all of the benefits of fish oil, flax oil or other omega 3 fatty acids, but unlike fish oil, krill oil does not cause those unpleasant fishy burps or an aftertaste which fish oil contains.

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B-Vitamins

The B-spectrum vitamins assist the body in utilizing oxygen, and help keep the nervous system operating at its peak. While each individual B-vitamin has specific health benefits, if you’re taking them for a boost of energy, it’s best to take a B Complex, because the effects of the B-spectrum on your energy levels are synergetic: the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Iron

Quite often, unexplained tiredness is a symptom of a minor case of anemia, when the red blood cells don’t have enough iron present to do their jobs. Iron is used by the cell to produce hemoglobin, which is necessary to carry oxygen to your cells — which is in turn necessary for the cells to burn calories into energy. Iron won’t help someone who isn’t anemic, but if you can’t figure out why you’re tired, it’s absolutely worth taking.

Magnesium

Magnesium is necessary for cells to begin the process that turns food into energy. Much like the spark plugs in your car, magnesium provides the tiny bit of ‘zap’ necessary to start everything else burning. If you’re low on it, you’ll feel unfocused and unable to get going.

Zinc

Zinc is a very important regulator of your metabolism, and it also helps facilitate the process by which your body turns long amino-acid chains (proteins) into short, burnable molecules. Zinc also jumpstarts your enzyme production, meaning you get more calories out of whatever food you eat, also leading to a boost in energy.

Tyrosine

Tyrosine is an amino acid that is a precursor to levodopa, a chemical that in turns raises levels of dopamine in your brain. Dopamine is a naturally-existing chemical in your brain that makes you feel alert, stimulated, and awake. Tyrosine, thus, through a complex chemical process that takes about 15 minutes to kick in, makes you feel alert, stimulated, and awake.

Calcium

Like iron, calcium isn’t so much a stimulant as necessary for a high-energy day. If calcium levels in your body are low, your body responds as though it were starving: it starts viciously storing energy in the form of fat, and in turn, you feel sluggish and unable to respond. Taking some calcium can turn that around in a heartbeat — if that’s your problem.

With this list of all-natural energy boosters at your side, you can get through even the toughest days without relying on the harsh effects of energy drinks or caffeine. The best part is, since you purchase these supplements in bulk, you’ll find yourself spending a lot less money on staying alert and awake!