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Dietary supplements refer to any health products that can supplement our diet. They include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, digestive enzymes, Probiotics, herbal supplements, glandular extracts and dietary fibers etc.

The consumption of dietary supplements has been rising every year. Whereas many people believe that dietary supplements can improve their health or prevent certain diseases, some consumer groups or medical professionals have warned that dietary supplements can be dangerous. So, the question is: are dietary supplements really dangerous? Unfortunately, the question does not have a simple answer.

Dietary supplements, by its broad definition, include thousands of different products. In 2004, Consumer Reports listed 12 potentially dangerous dietary supplements. Many of them are herbal products. Some of these herbs have been used by herbalists for hundreds of years and are considered as safe. However, when the active substances in these herbs are extracted in pure or concentrated form and consumed over prolonged period, they can be dangerous to some people.

Many dietary supplements such as vitamins and minerals are safe and can supplement what is missing in our diet. However, even the benign supplement can become dangerous in overdose. In local news, a woman was reported to give her two teenage daughters mega dose of vitamin A for prolonged period, thinking that the supplement is good for the eyes. Both suffered from acute liver failure and one required a liver transplant to save her life. Vitamin A is not dangerous but mega dose of vitamin A is hepatotoxic. In this case, ignorance itself is dangerous!

The quality of dietary supplement is also an important factor. The presence of contaminations, such as heavy metal, drugs, and toxic substances can make a benign supplement dangerous. One example is the presence of microcystin toxin in blue green algae dietary supplements. Microcystins are natural toxins from certain strains of blue green algae that can cause liver damage and liver tumors. According to the research conducted by Health Canada, only one strain of blue green algae, Spirulina, is free from microcystins as Spirulina is harvested from controlled ponds. Most of the non-Spirulina blue green algae supplements are contaminated by microcystins, especially those harvested from natural lakes. Daily consumption of these dietary supplements would exceed the acceptable level of microcystin intake established by Health Canada and WHO.

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is another key factor to safeguard the quality and safety of dietary supplements. Dietary supplement manufacturers in compliance of GMP standards have to test the identity of raw materials, implement a quality control unit, provide expiration date for the finished products, maintain good records of batch production and written procedures, and hire personnel who are trained to understand and follow GMP. This practice can reduce the chance of having batch to batch variation in strength, composition, purity and quality of finished products.

To sum up, although most dietary supplements are safe when consumed according to the label, consumers are advised to educate themselves before taking these supplements. What are the functions of these supplements? How long should I be taking them? Are they manufactured by reputable companies in compliance of good manufacturing practices? Never consume more than the recommended dose unless supervised by health care professionals. If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or suffering from pre-existing health conditions, you should also take extra precaution and consult with your doctors or nutritionists.

By: Kwan Lo

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In 1994, Congress past a law that defined dietary supplements, also called nutritional supplements, or supplements for short. It basically says that a dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. Are you using Hoodia as a dietary supplement?

This article provides basic information about the herb hoodia or oodia gordonii–common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hoodia is a flowering, cactus-like plant native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Its harvest is protected by conservation laws.

So, what is it used for? Kalahari Bushmen have traditionally eaten hoodia stems to reduce their hunger and thirst during long hunts. And today, hoodia is marketed as an appetite suppressant for weight loss.

Hoodia is used by taking the dried extracts of hoodia stems and roots which are used to make capsules, powders, and chewable tablets. Hoodia can also be used in liquid extracts and teas. Hoodia products often contain other herbs or minerals, such as green tea or chromium picolinate.

Hoodia’s safety is unknown. Its potential risks, side effects, and interactions with medicines and other supplements have not been studied. Acording to the National Institutes of Health, there is no reliable scientific evidence to support hoodia’s use. No studies of the herb in people have been published.

Hoodia may in fact work for you, but you should use caution and realize that the quality of hoodia products varies widely. News reports suggest that some products sold as hoodia do not contain any hoodia at all. Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

By: Joan Martin

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Manufacturers are doing all they can to come up with a wide array of pure natural products that are safe for an individual’s well being.

Some of the manufacturers might confuse other people. There are omega 3 6 9 dietary supplements but there is no guarantee that all of them contain enough fish oils. With all the fish oil supplements in the market, how will you determine the amount that you really need to have and how will you know if you’re paying for the right amount?

Fish oils contain omega 3s namely EPA and DHA. Those supplements with omega 3 6 9 labels provide a thorough desciption of the omegas they contain but most of the time, where or how the omegas are sourced is not mentioned.

Are Omega 3 6 9 supplements really helpful?

The first kind is omega 3 which takes pride in its two vital fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which both serve as one of the body’s foundations. These fatty acids can be found cell membranes, brain and retinas. Apart from their large composition in the body, they also maintain the immune system along with the omega 6 group. When an individual lacks omega 3, problems in brain, eyes, heart, joints or skin might come up.

The next is omega 6 which also has a very essential role in the body.

These fatty acids must be sourced from diet or supplements. Sourcing omega 6′s is not difficult for they can usually be found in most vegetable oils. The challenge here is to keep a perfect balance in taking omega 6 since they are aplenty in processed foods, fast foods and salad dressings – foods which has plenty of cholesterols.

There should be an equal ratio between 6s and 3s in the body. In Western world, the ratio is often 20 to 1 or more and nutritionists say this is not good.

The last is one is omega 9 which is more known as oleic acid. The body has the natural ability to create oleic acids so there is no use to get them from supplements.

Omega 9 is found in major parts of the skin’s oil and as you probably know, the skin comprises the largest organ of the body.

Some marketers and manufacturers think that by putting more numbers and figures on the bottle’s label people will think that the supplement is more helpful or valuable. They seem to confuse people to drive them to purchase the product but the truth is, some supplements don’t really contain much acids that are essential to the body.

All of these fatty acids are essential but it’s necessary to do some research to learn about the best omega 3 6 9 dietary supplements.

If you’re interested in learning more, please go to my website where I share about the supplements I use and personally recommend.

By: Audrey Alexander

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Even if you are not new to taking a fish oil dietary supplement maybe you have never thought about the things you need to know a little bit about, in order to help you make the right choice.

What I mean is understanding that some of the small but important differences that exist between same looking products, will have an impact of how effective they are in delivering the stated health benefits. This is surely the main reason we take them.

Take for example the amount of DHA in your current capsule. This is considered by many researchers to be one of the best essential fatty acids to have in a supplement. Sadly it’s missing in the cheaper brands or in such small quantities that could be considered a waste of money. The better quality fish oil dietary supplement will list it alongside another fatty acid EPA and show it as a combined dosage in milligrams. By looking at this you will have a better idea of the true amount of omega 3 fatty acids. It’s often the case that a higher dose will give better results.

One other fact that we often ignore is the purity of the oils used, which is measured by the amounts of heavy metals, PCB’s and dioxins they contain. In the case of these supplements there are four international standards in place. Any respectable producer will be able to display what’s known as a COA on its website, short for Certificate of Analysis, showing a breakdown of the levels of any pollutants in its product. If the brand you are currently using is unable to do the same, then it may be hiding something from its consumers.

There’s a few more things to take note of like the freshness of the fish oil dietary supplement, which I discuss on my main site. For the sake of a few minutes you could find yourself a more effective, value for money product.

By: Tony Tucker

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Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. This means that they are necessary for human health but the body can’t make them. The three basic types of fatty acids are EPA (eicosapentanoic acid), DHA (docosohexanoic acid) and LNA (alpha linolenic acid).

You will probably not face a quiz asking you to recite those tongue twisters any time soon. Just remember omega-3. The only way to get this marvelous food substance is through the food you eat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in both plant sources (flax seed oil) and animal sources (fish oil). Researchers agree that the best kinds of omega-3 fatty acids come from animal sources. Foods such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and halibut are good examples.

These compounds play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Now much evidence exists that they also reduce the risk of heart disease. Especially sudden cardiac death.

The American Heart Association now recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least twice (two servings) a week. Each serving is a little under four ounces cooked, or about ¾ cup of flaked fish.

Increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption through foods is preferable. However, those with a higher risk for coronary artery disease may not get enough omega-3 by diet alone. These people may also be candidates for supplements. Patients with high triglycerides may be helped even more with larger doses.

Also on the list of benefits is that of helping to lower cancer and arthritis. Patients have told me that they have also seen a profound effect with omega-3 supplementation and improved grades in school on the part of their children. Increased ability to focus and concentrate in the classroom have been reported again and again.

Another reported benefit is that of reducing inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to being the source of many underlying disease processes. So reducing inflammation has long been a goal of research medicine. Improvement in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis has appeared in the literature, as well.

Omega-3 products have long been widely available over the counter. There is now also a prescription-only omega-3 product known as Lovaza. Other health benefits have been reported in ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, depression, ADHD, Bi-polar disorder and more.

A caution note:

Because omega-3 oils can increase bleeding risk, be sure to let your physician know before you start supplementing and be sure to mention how much you are taking. This is especially important if you also take aspirin, Coumadin or Plavix. It is also important to add in a mix of omega-6 oils when you start taking omega-3 products. Your health care provider can advise you on this topic.

Omega-3 products can also raise blood sugar levels so diabetic patients need to be aware of this fact. The list of reported benefits is much longer that I’ve mentioned in this article. Be sure to learn all you can about this amazing group of supplements.

To your good health

K.C. Moore, RPh

By: K.C. Moore, RPh

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Did you know that there are a variety of acai dietary supplements on the market today? It’s true. The main reason why there are so many of these things around is because people are demanding to have access to this particular type of dietary supplement. Why?

Numerous scientific studies have proven that acai dietary supplements can dramatically improve a person’s health and wellness. This works by detoxifying your body of substances which have become accumulated inside of it. This happens as a result of the food that we eat and the air that we breathe. Just as we take a shower or bath to clean the outside of our body, it is very important that we take the time to clean the inside of our body as well. There is no easier way to do this than to take all natural dietary supplements that contain the acai berry. To know more about dietary supplements, read acai optimum review.

Many people choose to take this type of diet supplement in an effort to lose weight as well. This is not surprising given the fact that many famous physicians and celebrities have indicated that they take acai supplements as part of an overall diet and exercise program that is designed to help them look their best. When you think about this for a moment, it makes sense.

Celebrities are under incredible pressure to look their best. They typically can afford just about any product on the market today. Does it surprise you that they would choose supplements that are available to you and me? This, if nothing else, should be viewed as a tremendous sign that these particular types of supplements work.

If you are in the market for acai supplements, you are doing the right thing. It is very important that you make an effort to improve your overall health and wellness. This will benefit you in the years ahead. Not to mention, if you’re interested in losing some weight right now, no other product on the market today can give you results like this can.

By: Kacey Jone

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