Nutridom Health Information Blog

Which do you start your morning with, coffee or tea? (or maybe it's caffeinated protein shake?) Either is a vital part of the lives of many, and most of us living in this busy world needs a little caffeine push to start off the morning right, especially if we aren't too enthused about the idea of regular exercise.  No, I am not about to initiate the centuries-old debate about whether one should go for the 'magic leaf' or the 'magic fruit.' Let's talk about a vital counterpart of caffeine that we tend to forget about: Theanine.  Theanine  is a substance that we most commonly ingest by drinking tea, is what gives tea it's distinct taste. It has been shown to increase of the neurotransmitters Dopamin , which is responsible for the feeling of gratification and joy , and Serotonin , which affects the feeling of calm and relaxation . It is therefore considered an effective help in alleviating stress and anxiety. Several ...

Stinging nettle originates as a native shrub in colder regions of Europe and Asia and is now found worldwide. Young stinging nettle leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable. In traditional medicines, its root and aerial parts have been used for many centuries. Its name comes from its leaves and stems that release irritating chemicals when they contact your skin. Containing more than fifty different chemical constituents, stinging nettle is rich in albumin, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, C, D and B complexes. Traditionally, stinging nettle is used as a preventative medicine for hair loss and urination problems related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH). Extracts of nettle root treat enlarged prostate glands by inhibiting production of the hormone DHT, which is responsible for hair loss. People in Northern China and Mongolia use stinging nettle as a spices in daily life, and they have the lowest percentage of male baldness in the world. In ...

Milk thistle, or silybum marianum, is the most well-researched plant for liver health. It has been used for over 2,000 years as a natural treatment for liver problems including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis and gallbladder disorders. Physicians in America at the turn of 20th century used a tincture of milk thistle for liver and kidney disorders and  gallstones. What are the Benefits? Liver Health: There are over 300 research studies on milk thistle use and benefits that back up its proven value in liver health today, many of which were carried out in Europe. Milk thistle is one of the herbs approved by the Commission E for its beneficial effects on liver-related diseases such as toxic liver damage, inflammatory liver disease, and cirrhosis . An active component of milk thistle, silymarin, is both an a nti-inflammatory and antioxidant , and milk thistle stabilizes the liver cell membrane and stimulates protein synthesis while accelerating the process of regeneration i...

Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10) is a natural antioxidant synthesized in body cells. It is naturally present only in small amounts in a wide variety of foods, and comes in two forms: ubiquinol, the active antioxidant form, and ubiquinone, the oxidized form, which the body has to convert to ubiquinol. Both types are available in supplements and deliver pretty much the same therapeutic effects: antioxidant, heart protective and migraine prophylactic.  The beneficial effects of CoQ 10 are focused on its vital role in oxygen utilization and energy production, particularly in heart and skeletal muscle cells. A typical North American diet includes approximately 10 mg of CoQ 10 daily, thus taking CoQ 10 supplements is recommended to meet the daily value. Although CoQ 10 can be synthesized in the body, deficiency occurs due to disease, low dietary intake, or CoQ overuse. Symptoms of deficiency include high blood pressure, chest pain and, in severe cases, heart failure.  Benefits of CoQ 10 ...

Cranberry, a North American fruit, is a small, evergreen shrub grown with a long history of use among native American Indian tribes, primarily for the treatment of bladder and kidney ailments. Cranberry was also used as a poultice to treat wounds and blood poisoning, and sailors used it as a scurvy preventative. Nowadays, cranberry juice and supplements are effective urinary acidifiers and even used in Eastern European cultures to reduce fever and, because of their folkloric role, in the treatment of cancers.  UTI:  A urinary tract infection (UTI) affects the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra, all passageways of urine. Approximately 11% of all women over the age of 18 in the United States have a UTI each year, and the incidence of UTI is highest among women between 18-24 years old. Much research shows that drinking cranberry juice or taking certain cranberry extracts can lower the risk of repeated UTI.  Neurogenic bladder :  Cranberry is also used for neuro...

It's time for a pop quiz to see if you retained what really matters from your education: Do you know your ABC when it comes to Vitamins?  Which of the following are  good  sources of Vitamin B? The answer is- None of the above! Thanks for playing and congratulations to the winners.  (left-up: Vitamin C, left-down: Vitamin D, right-up: Vitamin K, right-down: Vitamin E) I suppose some of us need re-training? The truth is, there are 10 types of Vitamin B ! COMPLEX! These are: Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)  Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin-5'-phosphate)  Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)  Vitamin B4 (Choline bitartate)  Vitamin B5 (D-calcium pantothenate)  Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride)  Vitamin B7 (Biotin)   Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)  Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)  But don't you worry, most of people get enough of most of these...