Magnesium Supplementation

MagnesiumMagnesium is an essential mineral which is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including energy production, transmission of nerve impulses, regulation of body temperature, detoxification, and formation of healthy bones and teeth. It also aids in the body’s absorption of calcium. As if this wasn’t enough, magnesium is involved in protein synthesis, muscle function and normal parathyroid function. It prevents the development of osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, constipation, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, kidney stones, gallstones, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and also enhances the bioavailability of cholesterol and vitamin B6. Women also gain relief from the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause when they have sufficient levels of magnesium.

Be careful not to oversupplement with magnesium, because in large doses it can cause low blood pressure, muscle weakness, fatigue, diarrhea and nausea. Magnesium can also interact with some heart medications, antibiotics and diuretics. Anyone with significant disease or illness should be evaluated by a physician before taking magnesium supplements.

Magnesium can be found in whole grains, fish, leafy green vegetables, dark chocolate and nuts (particularly almonds), but it is difficult to get the recommended daily allowance from food sources alone. You can take 400 milligrams per day in two or three divided doses. Chelated forms, which are forms ending in “-ate” (citrate, taurate, glycinate) tend to be better absorbed by the body and are preferred over other forms. There are also magnesium topical formulations available which some say is a more readily absorbed form.

What Is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is one of the B vitamins which is essential for the formation of new cells as well as the formation of DNA. The natural form is known as folate and is found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, asparagus, lentils, yeast, mushrooms, organ meats, bananas, melons, lemons, orange juice and tomato juice. Most people do not get adequate amounts of folate from foods sources, and the body does not assimilate the natural form as readily as folic acid, which is the manmade form.

The most well known use of folic acid as a supplement is in women who are trying to get pregnant and in pregnant women. Folic acid is documented as a safeguard against neural tube defects which occur very early in prenatal development. The risk of neural tube defects is reduced by 50 to 75 percent in women who take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for at least one month before conception and throughout the first trimester of pregnancy.

Women who have sufficient intake of folic acid and folate also have significantly reduced risk of developing high blood pressure later in life. It is believed that folic acid reduces the risk of high blood pressure by causing blood vessels to relax, thus improving circulation.

Folic acid is used in treating folic acid deficiency, poor intestinal nutrient absorption, ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism, and end-stage kidney disease. It is also used to treat anemia and heart disease, memory loss, vitiligo, nerve pain, muscle pain, depression, age-related hearing loss, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and restless legs syndrome. It is also used topically to treat gum infections and gum disease. Additionally, folic acid can be used in a preventative manner for age-related macular degeneration, colon cancer, and cervical cancer.
folic acid
There are some side effects associated with high doses of folic acid, such as diarrhea, stomach upset, abdominal cramps, irritability, excitability, nausea, gas, behavior changes, skin reactions, rashes and pernicious anemia. A safe daily dosage of folic acid for most people is 400 micrograms per day.

Biotin For Healthy Skin, Nails and Hair

Woman touching her faceBiotin is a B vitamin which is naturally present in the human body and which is important for numerous metabolic functions. It is a carbon dioxide transporter and also expedites the processing of carbohydrates, protein and fat. As a result biotin can be a great component in a weight loss plan. Biotin’s involvement in carbohydrate processing also makes it responsible for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. It can also help to lower cholesterol levels, but be aware that it may interfere with the effects of some cholesterol-lowering medications.

There is extensive evidence to suggest that biotin plays an important role in the maintenance of healthy skin and nails. Those who suffer from eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or brittle nails often benefit from supplementation with this nutrient. Biotin is also helpful in treating a number of hair issues such as hair loss, reduced growth, thinning hair, and dull, brittle hair. I have put patients on biotin who have reported stronger, healthier and thicker hair after taking biotin for a few months.

This supplement is relatively inexpensive and carries rare and minimal side effects. The most common side effect reported is cystic acne at the chin and jawline and subsides after a few weeks. If this is something you experience while taking biotin, decrease your daily dosage to 25 micrograms per day.

Most sources recommend a dosage of 30 micrograms per day. However, I have taken 5,000 micrograms daily for many years and have not experienced any untoward effects.

Pregorexia

nakedpregnantwomanI was utterly shocked when I first learned of this term and could not believe that some pregnant women were willing to endanger the health of their unborn infants as well as their own health in an effort to avoid weight gain. Pregorexia is a psychological condition in which a woman’s obsession with being thin persists during pregnancy. It has the same features that anorexia does, with the stark exception the fact that a developing fetus is also endangered by the restriction in calories and nutrients.

About half of pregnant women will only eat certain foods which they have determined to be thin figure-friendly, while about one-fifth of pregnant women will actively restrict caloric intake. A small percentage of pregnant women will engage in excessive exercise, induce vomiting or take laxatives in an effort to rid themselves of ingested calories. Other pregnant women will binge, which exposes the infant to widely varying levels of nutrients. These erratic behaviors increase the risk of gestational diabetes, post-partum depression, c-section, miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight and breech delivery, yet these risks fail to deter many women from engaging in them.

More than half of women end up feeling more insecure about their bodies while they are pregnant, and many will harbor such intense fear of gaining weight while pregnant that they will starve themselves or employ some of the methods mentioned earlier. Even breastfeeding behaviors may fall prey to the psychological mechanism of restricting calories. Some women may resort to breastfeeding or pumping for the sole reason of shedding calories, an activity known as “pump purging”.
Pregnant women need to ingest an additional 10% more calories per day, which usually amounts to about 300 extra calories per day. As for ideal weight gain during pregnancy, women of normal weight should expect to gain between 25 to 35 pounds. Women who are overweight should aim for a pregnancy weight gain of 15 to 25 pounds, while obese women should only gain between 11 to 20 pounds.

The number one most important concern a woman should have while she is pregnant is the health of her unborn baby.

My Recipe For Yummy And Competition-Friendly Sweet Potatoes

Please note that this makes a BIG batch!

INGREDIENTS:

3 pounds sweet potatoes or yams
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Cut the sweet potatoes/yams in cubes (I peel them beforehand if not too lazy) and place in a clean bag. Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl. Add mixture to bag, secure opening and shake until potatoes are evenly coated. Place on roasting pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Bake for 55 minutes at 450 degrees.

Makes 16 3 ounce servings. YamsYUM!

Versatile Lemons

lemonsWhen I was a child I was obsessed with lemons.  I loved their bright, cheerful yellow color, invigorating aroma and delightful, tart flavor.  In fact, I used to suck on lemon wedges so often that I stripped part of the enamel from my front teeth as a result.  However, I broke that habit long ago, but my love for lemons remained.

Lemons are truly amazing.  Though they have a tart, acidic flavor, they have a powerful alkaline effect on the body and prevent the accumulation of excess acid which can result in rheumatic pain.  Even the oil from lemons has anti-inflammatory properties that, when rubbed into inflamed joints (mix a few drops with 1 teaspoon of almond, jojoba or grapeseed oil), will alleviate pain.

Lemons are packed with citric acid, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, pectin, bioflavonoids and limonene which support immunity.  The juice of lemons acts as a digestive aid and is a liver cleanser, so regular consumption can act as a very effective weight loss aid.   A few drops of lemon juice added to a meal can aid in digestion and can also help to treat constipation.  Additionally, regular consumption of lemons can help to lower blood cholesterol levels.  If you want a natural breath freshener, you can rinse your mouth out with the juice of one lemon mixed into a glass of tepid water several times a day, or you can chew on a lemon slice after each meal.  The lemon and water mixture can also be employed as a treatment for canker sores.

Individuals who are plagued with frequent acne flare-ups may notice an improvement in the condition of their skin after incorporating lemons into their regular meal plan, since the alkaline nature of lemons can kill the bacteria known to cause acne.  Try drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of lemon juice in the morning and see if your skin begins to clear up.  Some proponents of the lemon juice cure will drink the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water twice daily and swear by its multiple benefits.  You can also take lemon juice and apply it directly to acne blemishes and leave on overnight.  Another remedy involves mixing equal parts of rosewater and lemon juice, applying to acne-afflicted skin and allowing to sit for 30 minutes, then rinsing off with water.  This can be done twice daily.

If you suffer from corns or callouses, you can make a lemon poultice by placing a lemon slice onto the corn and bandage, or you can apply lemon oil to the corn.  Allow these treatments to sit overnight for best results.  Eczema can also be treated with lemons by adding several drops of lemon oil to one cup of lukewarm water and one tablespoon of honey.  Soak gauze bandages in this mixture and apply to affected area for 30 minutes.  If dandruff or dry scalp conditions plague you, take the juice and apply to the scalp.  Allow to sit for 30 minutes, then shampoo.

There are countless other benefits which lemons offer, but the ones I have mentioned here are my favorites.  I hope you enjoy the benefits of this amazing fruit!