There are an incredible amount of health benefits from eating plant nutrients, also known as phytonutrients. These are the special fruit and vegetable colors that are the source of their power to improve and boost our health.
Regarding red colored fruits, a study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the pomegranate reduces cholesterol and improves heart health.
The red pigment in tomatoes, known as lycopene, has been shown in studies from the Journal of Nutrition to help protect against heart disease, lower cholesterol, and reduce inflammation for a stronger immune system.
Greens strengthen the eyes and support the bones. According to the University of Illinois, broccoli supports bones with its high content of vitamin K and calcium.
Carrots, pumpkins and yams contain orange pigments that are rich in vitamin A, a nutrient known to boost immune function and prevent infectious diseases.
This news on the power of vegetable colors is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of natural health articles and beneficial natural remedies since 2001. They provide effective natural sleep aids and natural joint and pain relief products.
Sleeplessness is a big problem in America. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia at least a few nights weekly. Additionally, in a recent NSF poll they found that as many as 25 percent of the people in the U.S. use medications in an effort to combat insomnia and get some sleep.
The use of prescription sleeping drugs, such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata, has been steadily increasing. Global sales for all sleeping pills, called hypnotics, will top $5 billion in the next several years. Most sleeping pills, especially when taken over long periods of time, stay in the bloodstream and give a hangover effect the next day and beyond. They impair memory, reduce performance on the job and at home, and contribute to machine and car accidents.
From a nutritional perspective, several research studies have shown certain minerals to be effective alternatives to help people fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”
The pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis discusses minerals as natural insomnia remedies in her book Let’s Get Well. She says: “A calcium deficiency often shows itself by insomnia, another form of an inability to relax. The harm done by sleeping tablets, to say nothing of the billions of dollars spent on them, could largely be avoided if the calcium intake were adequate.”
Regarding magnesium, Davis says: “Hundreds of recent studies indicate that almost everyone, especially ill persons, is deficient in magnesium. Probably no other single deficiency is so responsible for the widespread use of tranquilizers.”
Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study, published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. The study concluded that disturbances in sleep, especially the absence of REM deep sleep or disturbed REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency. Restoration to the normal course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium level.
In magnesium deficiency, chronic insomnia is one of the main, central symptoms. Sleep is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high magnesium diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep. This was proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota. The study was titled “Effects of trace element nutrition on sleep patterns in adult women.”
It’s important to note that a balanced ratio of calcium and magnesium is beneficial to overall health, and that these two minerals should be taken together in a 2 to 1 ratio for best results (twice as much calcium as magnesium).
Jobee Knight, a nutritional researcher and founder of www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com in Glendale, CA., is someone who fought her own battle against sleeplessness and insomnia. She decided to put her background to use by searching out effective natural ingredients for relaxation and deeper sleep.
The result was Sleep Minerals II, a natural sleep aid that contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the best minerals for insomnia, as well as for heart health, restless legs syndrome, bone strength and menopause insomnia. The formula also includes vitamin D and zinc and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly assimilated than tablets or capsules and providing a better, longer-lasting sleep.
Alex R. of Ramseur, North Carolina says: “Sleep Minerals II has been a blessing for me. It has given me the opportunity to withdraw from a highly addictive sleep medication over time, and has allowed me to sleep while going through this most difficult ordeal. What’s great about it is it doesn’t lose its effectiveness, which is something that happens with sleep medications. I am most thankful for this product.”
Sleeping drugs can wreak havoc on one’s health and well-being. The right blend of natural minerals can be an effective natural insomnia remedy that helps the sleepless get some good rest.
It’s Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs. I’ve included a beneficial chart for you below with several key tips for better sleep. This chart is full of great advice, with many things that are supported by research studies.
For example, a study was published in the journal Sleep Health titled: “Walk to a better night of sleep: Testing the relationship between physical activity and sleep.” It found that people who walked more and had more low-impact physical activity slept better and with a higher sleep quality than those who didn’t.
More tips for better sleep: Regarding the benefits of taking calcium at bed time, one study published in the European Neurology Journal discovered that the normal course of sleep is restored following the normalization of the blood calcium level.
This news is provided to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.
Here is an interesting chart below showing the best foods for skin health.
One example is the famous Vitamin C, which can greatly enhance the skin’s moisture and appearance. It helps to increase collagen levels in the body, which is the body’s most abundant protein. Collagen acts to connect the body together and is found in skin, hair, nails and muscles.
Vitamin C is not produced naturally in the body and must be obtained from sources like citrus fruits, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, berries and vitamin supplements. In one study, researchers from the United Kingdom discovered that vitamin C significantly reduced skin dryness and wrinkles and improved skin health in 4,025 people between 40 and 74.
Research scientists are discovering more and more ways to help people remedy insomnia and sleep better with simple nutrition and lifestyle improvements
Almost six out of ten Americans experience insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week, as reported in a recent study done by the National Sleep Foundation.
Insomnia is defined as “An inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.”
In an effort to combat this, as many as twenty-five percent of the people in the U.S. turn to sleep drugs. Because most people would prefer to avoid the side effects and addiction of sleep medications, research scientists have been busy studying nutritional and lifestyle approaches to getting better sleep.
Tip # 1 – We live in an electronics-oriented world, from computers, to cell phones, to texting, to reading books on tablets. These tools help increase our efficiency and ability to work and learn and communicate, but when it comes to getting good sound sleep, they can interfere.
One study from a university in New York found that exposure to light from electronic displays can suppress melatonin by about twenty two percent. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. It is present in higher amounts at night. The researchers recommend shutting off all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime and doing some relaxing things before bed.
Tip # 2 – Regarding sounder, deeper sleep resulting from taking walks, studies at the University of Arizona have found that walking more than six blocks a day at a normal pace significantly improves sleep at night for women.
Scientists suspect that walking helps to set our biological clock into a consistent sleep pattern. Walking can help increase “endorphins”, which are protein-like chemicals made in the brain that can have a relaxing effect, a pain-relieving effect, and can also reduce stress and increase well-being.
Tip # 3 – Sometimes hunger can strike at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and keep one awake. If this occurs, eat something with high protein such as turkey. Turkey contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid (a component of protein) that has a calming effect. According to Ray Sahelian, M.D., “Tryptophan ….can be converted at night into melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone.”
As a note, concentrated tryptophan capsules are not recommended as they can create grogginess in the morning and take some time to wear off. Other foods that are high in tryptophan include nuts, seeds, chicken, fish, oats, beans, lentils, and eggs.
Tip # 4 – When taking natural sleep aids, it’s good to remember that each person is a unique individual and doing some experimenting with the dosage can be instrumental in achieving success. At first, err on the side of taking too little rather than too much. Another thing to keep in mind is that natural aids are not drugs and they may not work immediately with the first dose or even the first few doses. It can take up to a couple weeks to see results.
James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”
In one study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. In the study, taking calcium restored normal sleep patterns.
One example of a mineral-based sleep remedy is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. The ingredients are delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making them more easily assimilated than capsules or tablets and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says: “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference. I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours. This has been a great improvement.”
In summary, take the tips of recent research studies and take a walk each day, put the computers and cell phones away an hour before bedtime and do something relaxing, keep a high-tryprophan snack next to your bed at night, and use an effective form of calcium and magnesium before bed for a deeper, longer night’s sleep.
Rice bran oil is a heart-healthy oil that is used in cooking, salad oil and nutritional supplements.
It is extracted from the outer bran coats of rice. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids that help fight disease and promote good health.
Research studies have found that this oil reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, remedies menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, strengthens the immune system and protects the retina of the eye.
Rice bran oil is rich in two types of natural vitamin E and also high in Oryzanol (a word that sounds like “Original”), which is a powerful antioxidant only found in rice bran oil. Antioxidants protect our tissues from deterioration and help to slow the aging process.
One example of rice oil benefiting the heart health is a study done by a team of cardiovascular scientists in Japan. The 60-day study was conducted with 300 men and women and found that a combination of rice bran oil and sesame oil reduced blood pressure by 14 points and lowered cholesterol by 26%. The oil consisted of 80% rice bran oil and 20% sesame oil.
Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia can plague women who are at pre-menopause or menopause. In a study of menopausal women, researchers gave the participants the active component of rice bran oil in supplement form. After four to six weeks, 90% of the women had some form of relief, with 40% claiming “excellent” improvement. The women also experienced significantly reduced cholesterol levels.
Our immune system protects and defends us from disease in all its forms. It is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. The main cells involved are white blood cells called “leukocytes” which create antibodies that neutralize toxins and infections.
From the journal of Phytotherapy Research (phyto refers to plants) comes a study showing that rice bran oil evokes a significant increase in antibodies that greatly enhance immune activity.
Rice bran oil can help calcium to be absorbed better into the body. In a review article from “Progress in Lipid Research” (a lipid is a natural fat or oil), the authors write that healthy oils increase mineral utilization by enhancing the effects of vitamin D – a vitamin that works alongside calcium and magnesium. As a result, oils such as this can help calcium to be deposited into bone and improve bone strength.
This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II. This sleep remedy features calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, all mixed with rice bran oil in a highly absorbable softgel.
Kimberly B. of Troy, Michigan gives her review and says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for 2 1/2 years. I have also had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…gone for a month now.”
There is a very helpful chart about carbohydrates below, including which ones are the healthiest and those that are not as healthy. It’s a good overview of carbohydrates contained in a picture, and a good guide to eating healthful carbs.
One might think that carbohydrates are just things like cookies, cakes and bread. Actually the healthiest carbohydrates come from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
The colorful plant chemicals found in veggies and fruits are natures best health remedies for many parts of the body including the eyes, brain, heart, glands and bones.
Can’t sleep? You are not alone. Not being able to sleep, or insomnia, is a common complaint, especially among people older than 50. More than half of all people aged 65 years and older have sleep problems.
Not surprisingly, lack of sleep is caused mainly by factors that are more common later in life, such as breathing problems, illness and medications. Yet, scientists have proved that poor sleep is not a natural part of aging.
Five common complaints are trouble falling asleep, waking up, awaking too early, needing to nap and not feeling rested.
Lack of sleep is a health concern because it can cause attention and memory problems, depressed mood and body chemistry changes that foster heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
A factor getting more attention recently is poor nutrition. A low intake of the mineral magnesium may be one nutritional factor causing sleep problems.
Magnesium plays a key role in the body’s chemistry that regulates sleep. This may be why persons with long-term lack of sleep, or abnormal brain waves during deep sleep, often have low magnesium in their blood.
Some small studies with humans and rats also suggest that magnesium is needed for good sleep. Magnesium treatment increased deep sleep and improved brain waves during sleep in 12 elderly subjects. Magnesium treatment decreased time to fall asleep and improved sleep quality of 11 alcoholic patients who often have a low magnesium status. Magnesium deficiency increased time awake at the expense of deep sleep in rats. Feeding magnesium to the rats restored their sleep patterns to normal.
The diets of many people do not contain enough magnesium for good health and sleep. In 1997, the United States Food and Nutrition Board set the recommended dietary allowance (or daily intake) for magnesium at 320 milligrams for women and 420 milligrams for men between ages 51 and 70.
A national food consumption survey found that many Americans, especially older women, consume less than the recommended amount for magnesium. Another risk factor for low magnesium status in older women is the use of calcium supplements without magnesium for bone health. High calcium intakes can make magnesium deficiency worse.
Perhaps, you have heard or read of the folk remedy of drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed if you have trouble with falling asleep. This remedy may work for some people because milk is a fair source for magnesium. A glass of milk provides about 30 milligrams of magnesium. This amount of magnesium could be the difference between a deficient and adequate magnesium status for many people.
Other foods that have good amounts of magnesium are whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are a good source of magnesium because the green color is chlorophyll, a chemical that contains magnesium and converts sunlight into food energy.
(From the Human Nutrition Research Center of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture).
This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid featuring calcium and magnesium Sleep Minerals II.
Kimberly B. of Troy Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for two and a half years and have had restless leg syndrome my entire life. This is the first relief I’ve ever had…it’s gone for a month now.”
It’s Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of Sleep Minerals II. Over the years of helping people with their sleep, I have discovered several useful tips that can help make a big difference and increase the quality and quantity of one’s sleep.
#1 – We live in an electronics-oriented world, from computers, to cell phones, to texting, to reading books on tablets, etc. These tools help increase our efficiency and ability to work and learn and communicate, but when it comes to getting good sleep, they can interfere.
One study from a university in New York found that exposure to light from electronic displays can suppress melatonin by about 22 percent. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. It is present in higher amounts at night time. It’s best to shut off all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime and do some relaxing things before bed.
#2 – Go outside and take a walk each day. The purpose of this is to vary your attention and focus from the usual indoor tasks. The daily tasks one does are usually a certain distance from the eyes. It’s a great help to go out and look at things that are farther away and are larger than what you look at inside. Look at trees, buildings, cars, houses, clouds, etc. and notice things you have never seen before, each time you walk.
This expands one’s attention and helps the body to rest better at night. It’s not necessarily the exercise factor. It helps to give one new points of view. Supporting this are studies from the University of Arizona which found that walking more than six blocks a day at a normal pace significantly improves sleep at night.
#3 – When taking natural sleep aids, its good to remember that each person is a unique individual and doing some experimenting with the dosage can be instrumental in achieving success. At first, err on the side of taking too little rather than too much. Another thing to keep in mind is that natural aids are not drugs and they may not work immediately and fully with the first dose or even the first few doses. It can take up to a couple weeks to see the best results.
For example with Sleep Minerals II made by Nutrition Breakthroughs, the calcium and magnesium are formulated in a softgel with natural oils. This makes the minerals very powerful as a sleep remedy. It can help with frequent awakenings, teenage insomnia, menopause insomnia, restless leg syndrome and chronic sleeplessness.
James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”
Most people do fine with one Sleep Minerals softgel taken about a half hour before bed. But for others, one is too much and the softgel needs to be opened at one end so that less than one can be taken out and used. If a person takes too much calcium for their body, it can have an energizing effect rather than a relaxing one. Even when less than one is used, give it a trial of at least a couple weeks.
#4 – Sometimes hunger can strike at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and keep one awake. If this occurs, eat something with high protein such as turkey. Keep it in a baggie next to your bed or in a small cooler. Turkey contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid (a component of protein) that has a calming effect. Some types of turkey to try are lunchmeat, turkey burgers, turkey meat from legs or thighs, etc. The brain is able to convert tryptophan into melatonin. Often just a few bites are enough to help get one back to sleep, but eat until the hunger is handled.
As a note, concentrated tryptophan capsules are not recommended as they can create extreme grogginess in the morning and take quite a while to wear off.
A few small changes in one’s life can go a long way towards remedying insomnia and giving oneself the gift of a great night’s sleep.
To your good health,
Jobee Knight
President
Nutrition Breakthroughs, Maker of Sleep Minerals II
Toll-free (888) 861-0326
According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week.
Insomnia is defined as “An inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.”
In an effort to combat this, as many as 25 percent of the people in the United States use medications to help them sleep.
Sleep Minerals II is the original drug-free calcium and magnesium based sleep aid. The minerals are uniquely formulated in a softgel with natural oils, making them highly absorbable. The product soothes insomnia and helps everyone from older adults, to teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, to get a good night’s sleep. It also calms restless leg syndrome.
James F. Balch, M.D., author of “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”
Alex R. of Ramseur, North Carolina shares his review and says: “Sleep Minerals II has been a blessing for me. It has given me the opportunity to withdraw from a highly addictive sleep medication over time, and has allowed me to sleep while going through this most difficult ordeal. What’s great about it is it doesn’t lose its effectiveness, which is something that happens with medications. I am most thankful for this product.”
Chris M. of the United Kingdom says: “I take one softgel of Sleep Minerals II before bed every night and within 20 minutes I am asleep. The difference in the quality of my sleep and the ease with which I get to sleep using this product is monumental. I have stopped obsessing about sleep or dreading bedtime — I just take a softgel and drift off. If I stop taking them, within a week the amount of my sleep diminishes and my old insomniac patterns reappear.”
Sadie D. from The Netherlands says: “I am ever so grateful that I discovered Sleep Minerals II after suffering with premenopause and now the real menopausal insomnia. I felt like I was slowly losing my mind due to the continual lack of sleep. I can’t express the relief of getting a good night’s sleep and being able to function properly.”
Jill C. of Ellensburg, Washington says: “My husband has been struggling with restless leg syndrome (RLS) his whole life. Coming back from a deployment in Iraq five years ago made his RLS become magnificently worse, creating nightly insomnia. He couldn’t sleep more than three to five hours unless taking an addictive prescribed narcotic, which he became tolerant to and the insomnia came back with no answers. Now he’s been taking Sleep Minerals II for a week and every night has had a great night’s sleep. We are thrilled.”
Darleen T. of La Mesa, California says: “I purchased Sleep Minerals for my teenage daughter. When she started on the minerals she hadn’t been sleeping well for the past couple of years. She was run down and feeling beyond her years… exhausted. Once she started on the Sleep Minerals, she can fall into a restful sleep by 10:30 p.m. and sleep all night. This product is a heaven send and has given her a life back.”
Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than the Sleep Minerals — I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly. Thank you for making sleep a reality for so many people.”
This news is provided by http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has provided natural health articles and effective natural remedies. Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that get results and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.
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